602nd Infantry Brigade, 6th Infantry Division
2nd Infantry Brigade, 6th Infantry Division
"Liberator"
The mission of the 601st Infantry Brigade, 6th Infantry Division is to provide command and control to units under its operational control in the conduct of internal security operations, in coordination with all concerned agencies and within the purview of peace, development and political initiatives of national and local government agencies within its area of responsibility. Its specific functions include: To exercise command and control over all units under its operational control and any tenant units; to conduct security operations against anti-government groups; to aasist local government agencies in pursuing development projects; and to secure government flagship projects and vital installations within the area of responsibility.
The 602nd Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Division traces its lineage back to the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 12th Infantry Brigade (Separate). In the mid-1980s, the 12th Infantry Brigade (Separate) deployed in Mindanao to undertake internal security operations. With a large number of battalions under its operational control and a vast area of responsibility, it was deemed necessary to organize and activate tactical brigades to ease command and control requirements. On 9 October 1986, pursuant to General Orders Number 49, Headquarters, Philippine Army, the 2nd Brigade, 12th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was activated.
After performing well in central Mindanao, it was decided to deploy the Brigade to Region 11 to combat anti-government forces there. The unit established its headquarters in Apokon, Tagum, Davao del Norte on 8 February 1987. Its area of responsibility included the provinces of davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and the northern districts of Davao City. The unit had 4 battalions under its operational control strategically deployed. The 25th Infantry Battalion was deployed at Pantucan. The 40th Infantry Battalion was deployed at Monkayo. The 64th Infantry Battalion was deployed at at Doña Andrea, Asuncion, and throughout Davao del Norte. Lastly, the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion was deployed at Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City.
On 23 September 1987, the Brigade transferred its headquarters to Tuboran, Mawab, Davao del Norte, where it occupied critical terrain, effectively restricting the movement of anti-government forces and significantly reducing their activities. On 24 October 1987, the 12th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was inactivated and the 6th Infantry Division was activated. 2nd Brigade, 12th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was similarly transformed into 2nd Brigade, 6th Infantry Division. In 1989, the unit was redesignated as 602nd Infantry Brigade, 6th Infantry Division.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the unit was credited with the destruction of the a rebel military-political structure under Amado Payot (aka Commander Benzar) in the municipality of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. At the time, the Brigade had been tasked to augment the 601st Brigade, 6th Infantry Division, which had jurisdiction over that area.
In 1995 the Brigade was deployed to central Mindanao in response to the worsening situation there. On 17 october 1995 the unit formally deployed to the new area of operations and established its headquarters at Brgy Nasapian, Carmen, Cotabato. Its area of responsibility covered the province of Cotabato, with the exception of the municipality of Pigcawayan and the municipalities of Pagalungan, Pagagawan and 4 Barangays of Kabuntalan, all in Maguindanao and the municipality of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat. Here the Brigade fought against various anti-government groups. In 1996 the unit dispersed the MILF from the Malmar Complex and captured Camp Rajah Muda, a MILF stronghold.
In 2000 an all out war against the MILF was declared in central Mindanao. The Brigade participated in this campaign, which led to the capture of Camp Rajamuda and Camp Ibnu Harris, both in Pikit, Cotabato, and Camp Compound in Pagalungan and Camp Al Bashir Ben Affan in Limbalod, Pagagawan, both in Maguindanao. The Brigade's establishment of satelite camps in Bualan, Pikit, Semoney, Tamped, Nangaan, all in Kabacan, Cotabato and strong detachments in disputed territory, led to the neutralization of anti-government forces, destruction of marijuana plants, and the capture and recovery of numerous high and low powered firearms, including rocket propelled grenades.
In 2002, the Brigade participate in another campaign against the MILF, which resulted to the capture of 2 base Camps (the headquarters of the MILF 104th and 106th Brigades). The unit also conducted operations against other anti-government forces, neutralizing and capturing enemy personnel. The unit also recovered assorted firearms, war materiel and subversive documents, and destroyed marijuana plants within Pikit Complex. On 2 September 2002 a ceremony was conducted in which 288 members of the MILF and 318 members of the Misuari Breakaway Group pledged an oath of allegiance to the Philippine Republic. These forces had surrendered to the 602nd Infantry Brigade during operations. The Brigade also establisehd an Area Coordination Center in coordination with the provincial government of Cotabato. The purpose of the ACC was to monitor all incidents and calamities (man made or natural), and coordinate appropriate and immediate action both by the military and relevant government agencies.
Betwen 2002 and 2003 the unit also conducted a series of combat operations in Tulunan, Columbio Complex. The unit also participated in the historic operations to recover the Buliok Complex from the MILF in both Pikit, Cotabato and Pagalungan of Maguindanao, on 11 February 2003. The Brigade, with the units under its operational control, conducted offensive operations against the MILF stronghold in Buliok, where MILF Chairman Salamat Hassim and his followers occupied their central headquarters. On 13 February 2003, the area was successfully occupied by the 602nd Infantry Brigade. It is from this operation that the Brigade took the name "Liberator." The 602nd Infantry Brigade also protected the area against the subsequent MILF counter-attack.
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