Military unit
The 11th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, also called the Alakdan Division, is one of the Philippine Army's infantry units in Mindanao.[2][1]
Currently still forming, the Division is expected to complete its equipment and manpower requirements by 2022.[3] It is the youngest of all the infantry divisions of the Army and will have 4,500 troops when fully formed.[4]
History
The Division can be trace to the 11th Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army in 1941 activated by USAFFE to oppose the Japanese invasion. Colonel (later BGen.) William Brougher commanded the division from its activation until its surrendered in Bataan. Colonel Juan Moran was the chief of staff until the Bataan campaign was concluded. Activated in November 1941 at Camp O'Donnell in Tarlac.
It fought in Lingayen to repulse Japanese landing and one of its battalion was posted in Cagayan to delay Japanese forces to converge with the main forces of IJA 14th Army. Units of 11th Division fought delaying battles and withdrawn to Bataan after WPO 3 was ordered by USAFEE.
Defense of Bataan
11th Division was assigned to I Philippine Corps Area under MGen. Jonathan M. Wainwright IV and later MGen. Albert M. Jones. It fought in the battle of pockets and battle of points until MGen. Edward P. King Jr surrendered the entire Bataan Force due to exhaustion, hunger, and out of ammunition. The division went to the Death March resulting to many soldiers died during the march and to Camp O'Donnell. The Division practically dissolved and was never reactive after the war. Soldiers where incarcerated and released on August 1942 after the puppet government was formed. Some went to hills to join guerilla units and continue fighting the Japanese Army.
Post World War II
Division was not reactivated again after the war although few of its unit was formed again.
War on Terrorism
On 17 December 2018, President Duterte, accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, led the activation of the 11th Infantry ‘Alakdan’ (Scorpion) Division at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, headquarters of Joint Task Force Sulu in Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo, Sulu.[2][1]
Composed of units already present in Sulu working under Joint Task Force Sulu, the various units were formed into a new Division dedicated in fighting the ISIS affiliated terrorist groups in the region.[2]
On 28 January 2019, following the bombing of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo on 27 January 2019, the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched an all out assault on known Abu Sayyaf bases in the area.[5] Led by the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, the 11th Infantry Division were given a supporting role and engaged the terrorists trying to flee the combat zone.[6]
It has been reported by Philippine Media on 30 May 2019 that the 1st Brigade Combat Team will be assigned to the Division to aid in the operations against the Abu Sayyaf.[3] These troops arrived on board the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) on 31 May 2019.[7]
On 28 June 2019, two suicide bombers detonated themselves at the gate of the tactical command post of the First Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) in Sitio Tanjung, Barangay Kajatian, Sulu. The blast killed three soldiers and three civilians as well as the bombers. It is believed that this is the first instance of a suicide bombing conducted by native Filipinos.[4]
A British businessman, Allan Hyrons, 70, and his wife, Wilma, were rescued by elite troops of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion with support from the 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division who found them abandoned by kidnappers at the forested areas of Mt. Piahan, boundary of Barangays Silangkan and Kaha in Parang, Sulu in the morning of 25 November 2019.[8]
An argument with an inebriated soldier resulted in the deaths of three members of the 9th Field Artillery Battalion, Army Artillery Regiment, at Barangay Liang in Patikul on 31 January 2020. Corporal Jack Indap shot dead two officers, Major Rael Gabot and First Lieutenant Ryan Lamoste, as they confronted him for being drunk on duty. Indap was later killed by responding personnel. The 9th Field Artillery Battalion is attached to the 11th Infantry Division as one of its support units.[9]
On 29 June 2020, 4 intelligence officers believed assigned to the 11th Military Intelligence Battalion were killed in a friendly fire incident by Philippine National Police personnel manning a checkpoint in Jolo, Sulu.[10]
On 23 August 2020, two powerful bomb explosions occurred on Jolo island in Sulu. Six civilians, seven soldiers, and a police officer were killed in the blasts that went off in a busy street while 75 other people – including at least 48 civilians, 21 soldiers, and six police officers – were injured. Islamic State militants have claimed responsibility.[11]
To improve coordination with Philippine Navy and Air Force units, the Division conducted the weeklong LUPAH SUG 01-2021 Exercises. Ended on 19 February 2021, the exercise sought to solve the difficulties shown during Operation Perfect Storm 2 conducted in 2020.
Newly organized 101st Infantry "Sajahitra" Battalion has completed its Unit Organizational Training at the 11th Division Training School in Camp Bud Datu, Barangay Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu on June 6, 2022. This new unit will be added to the Division.[12]
Official Seal of 11ID
The official seal of the Division is an irregular hexagon divided in half with a scorpion (Filipino: Alakdan) over a green field on top-left and two crossed bolos and a kris, made to look like the Roman Numeral of eleven, over a brown field on the lower-right.
Philippines
Infantry
