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HISTORY
OF 43RD IB
I.
Introduction:
The 43rd Infantry (SEARCHER) Battalion, 8th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army traces its humble
beginning in central plain of Luzon where it started
with two (2) rifle companies. It was later organized as
provisional battalion on 16 December 1976 and was made a
component of the 1st Infantry (TABAK)
Division, Philippine Army located then at Fort Bonifacio,
Palayan City. Its first commander and acknowledged
father was the late MAJOR FELICISEMO S ESQUADRO (INF)
PA.
II.
Activation of the Unit:
The unit was activated into an Infantry Battalion on 02
March 1997 pursuit to General Orders number 77
Headquarters Philippine Army dated 19 March 1977, a time
when peace and order situation in Mindanao was at its
worst situation considering the threat posed not only by
the Muslim rebels but also by the CPP/NPA in the area.
It was then deployed in Mindanao on 21 September 1977 to
test its fighting capability against the enemies of the
state. It carried the motto of “WE SEARCH” purposely
to track and destroy lawless elements creating violence
in that part of the country and later on to other areas
where the motto of the unit is best applicable.
III.
Unit’s Places of Assignment:
True to its maxim, the unit has proven its dexterity in
security operations in all places of assignments in its
pacification campaign from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao
particularly in the fight against lawlessness in the
hinterlands of Zamboanga, Davao Del Sur, Zulo, Basilan
and Tawi-Tawi. The unit won numerous battles against the
insurgents with minimal casualties. Its deployment in
Mindanao greatly contributed in turning the tide of
security threat posed by the insurgents escalated
attempts to control certain areas which in effect
brought forth favorable changes due to much improved
peace and order condition in the area. Through mutual
harmonious relationship with the local officials and
people, the unit was instrumental in effecting
development as a result of unity, cooperation and
goodwill by winning the people’s trust in their
pacification campaign.
On 16 August 1980, the battalion was relieved
from 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division,
Philippine Army and was placed OPCON with the 5th
Infantry Brigade (S) PA pursuant to Section 1. General
Order Number 294, Headquarters Philippine Army dated 13
August 1980. After the height of insurgency campaign,
the battalion was transferred to Camp Servillano, Aquino,
Tarlac to refit its combat capability, dexterity and
agility particularly manpower resources. The battalion
underwent retraining on 24 August 1981.This move was
likewise intended to beef-up the dwindling strength as a
result of natural attrition and some combat casualties
who in one way or another demonstrated their not noble
services particularly their gallantry in action for its
constitutional obligation of preserving genuine peace
security.
After successfully hurdling the rigors of
training on 17 January 1982, the 43rd
Infantry Battalion once again fresh and ready for
another mission, was sent to Eastern Visayas to quell
the fast growing Communist Insurgency threat in that
part of the country. The unit had established its
headquarters at Mahaplag, Leyte on 23 January 1982.
On June 1986, the battalion was relieved from 5th
Infantry Brigade( S), PA and subsequently assigned with
8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army
pursuant to General Orders Number 126 Headquarters
Philippine Army dated 27 May 1986. From then on, the
unit controlled the most part of the province of Leyte
until February 1990 when the presence of the unit was
needed in the enemy infested areas of Samar. It was at
that instance the unit transferred to Eastern Samar on
02 March 1990 and established its headquarters at Brgy
Buenavista, Quinapundan, Eastern Samar. The succeeding
year on 01 April 1993, the unit was again ordered to
undergo retaining at Camp Eugenio Daza, Brgy Fatima,
Hinabangan, Samar. After completion of its training
program on 26 June 1993, the unit deployed in Western
Samar and established its headquarters in the following
places. First at Brgy Parasanon, Pinabacdao, then at
Brgy Old San Agustin, Basey, and on June 1995 the
battalion was again relocated to a more strategic
location at Brgy San Eduardo, Sta Rita, Samar where
rolling hills and verdant mountains overlooking the AOR.
On 20 May 1998, the battalion was relieved as
OPCON unit from 803rd Infantry Brigade, 8ID,
PA and subsequently planced OPCON to 802nd
Infantry Brigade, 8ID, PA effective same date pursuant
to General Order number 345 Headquarters 8th
Infantry Division, PA dated 03 June 1998. On 14 June
1999, the 802nd Infantry Brigade, 8ID, PA
issued OPLAN “PAGBABAGO” 08-99 realigning its forces
under its AOR in Samar and redeploying another battalion
in Leyte as its additional AOR. And on 17 June 1999 43rd
Infantry Battalion moved its forces to Leyte with a
temporary tactical Command Post at Brgy Malinao,
Mahaplag, Leyte. A month latter, the unit find its fnal
home at Brgy Hibod-Hibod, Sogod, Southern Leyte with the
whole island of Leyte and Biliranas its AOR.
On 24 January 2000, 8th Infantry
Division, Philippine Army issued an OPLAN”JAGUAR”
relieving the unit from operationally controlled of 802nd
Bde, 8ID, PA effective 01 February 2000 and subsequently
placed OPCON to Task force Leyte (TFL), 8ID, PA
effective same date pursuant to General OrderNumber 14,
H8ID, PA dated 24 February 2000 with the same area of
responsibility. Upon the deactivation of Task Force
Leyte on 16 August 2001, the unit was again placed under
Operational Control of 802 Brigade, 8th
Infantry Division, PA effective same date pursuant to
Section 2 General Orders Number 381, Headquarters, 8ID,
PA dated 29 August 2001.
On 10 March 2002, 802nd Bde issued an
OPLAN “BAGUHIN” and realigned its two (2) OPCON
Battalions (19IB & 43IB) within the brigade’s AOR.
With the effect of said OPLAN, the unit new AOR covers
the whole province of Southern Leyte and eight southern
municipalities of Leyte to effectively operationalized
the one-on-one concept of the Brigade OPLAN “WEAKEST
LINK”.
For twenty eight (28) years of fruitful stint and
services, the unit has operated in eleven (11) provinces
all over the country under the illustrious leadership of
various commanders.
IV.
The Unit Today:
At present, the unit covers the whole province of
Southern Leyte and twelve (12) municipalities of Leyte
as its area of responsibility under the command of
LIEUTENANT COLONEL RAUL M FARNACIO INF (GSC) PA. It
composed of three (3) Rifle Companies which are
strategically deployed in the area, one (1) Service
Company and one (1) Combat Support Unit, the 2LAS OF
3LAP, 8ALC.
The Battalion Command Post is located at Brgy
Hibod-Hibod, Sogod, Southern Leyte. Co-located with the
Headquarters are the Hqs & Hqs Service Company and
the Bravo Company. Alpha Company is located at Brgy
Capudlosan, Hindang, Leyte; and Charlie Company at Brgy
Polahongon, Mahaplag, Leyte augmented by the Combat
Support Unit 1st Sec of 2nd
Platoobn, 8th Light Armored Company.
V.
Significant Accomplishments:
Today, the unit stands tall among others outfit to
humbly present its indelible records of accomplishments.
For its feats, the numerous awards of merit it has
garnered are proofs of its outstanding performance in
the overall accomplishments of the unit mission.
Following are the awards the unit has gained with
distinction:
a.
Commendation from the Sangguniang Bayan of
Lamitan, Basilan Province on 1980.
b.
Certificate of Appreciation from UPLIG in the
Province of Lamitan on 1980.
c.
Best Battaion for Civil Military Operation of
5ID, PA from 1981 to 1982.
d.
5ID, PA Streamer Award for Best in Civil Military
Operation from 1983 to 1984.
e.
5ID, PA Command Plaque for Best in Civil Military
Operation dated 21 April 1986.
f.
803rd Bde, 8ID, PA Award of Merit in
ISO in Leyte and Samar dated 27 Mar 05.
g.
8ID, PA Award of Merit in recognition of its
invaluable contribution to the Counter Insurgency
efforts of the Command in Samar.
h.
803rd Bde, 8ID, PA Command Plaque in
attaining Development and Peace in Leyte and Samar from
1988 to 1992.
i.
Best Infantry Battalion in the Visayas Command
for CY 1991.
j.
803rd Bde, 8ID, PA Plaque of Merit for
the Best Manuever Battalion for CY 1995 to 1996.
k.
8ID, PA Streamer Award for Best Manuever
Battalion for CY 1995 to 1996.
l.
One of its maneuver company, the Bravo Company
was adjudged as Best company of 8ID, PA for the CY 1995
to 1996.
m.
VISCOM Plaque of Merit for Best Infantry
Battalion for CY 1996 dated 20 March 1997.
n.
Adjudged as number 2 for Best Battalion of the
wholePA for CY 1996.
o.
Commanding General, 8ID, PA Streamer Award for
having attained twenty (20) years of excellence as unit
of 8ID, PA dated 28 February 1997.
p.
Commanding
General, PA Streamer Award for Best maneuver Battalion
of the PA for CY 1998 dated 30 Mar 99.
q.
VISCOM Plaque of Merit for Best Infantry
Battalion for CY 1998.
r.
803rd Bde, 8ID, PA Plaque of
Commendation for exemplary performance in the conduct of
ISO within the Bde AOR dated 05 Jul 99.
s.
Philippine Army Streamer Award of Merit for one
of the outstanding PA Battalion for CY 1998.
t.
802nd Bde, 8ID, PA Certificate of
Appreciation for invaluable contribution to the Counter
Insurgency efforts of the Bde in Eastern Samar dated 03
August 1998.
u.
802nd Bde, 8ID, PA Plaque of
Recognition dated 01 Mar 01 for invaluable support
during the conduct of combat operations in Leyte and
Biliran from 03 Aug 98 to 31 Jan 01.
v.
Commanding General, 8th Infantry
Division “STREAMER AWARD “ for Best Infantry
Battalion of 8th Infantry Division Calendar
Year 2002.
w.
Award of Plaque of Recognition dated 01 July
2003, from the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte
in grateful recognition in the conduct of Medical and
Dental Services during Civac and invaluable assistance
in maintaining internal security assistance operation
which allow the province to sustain its socio-economic
development.
x.
Certificate of Commendation dated 16 Aug 03 from
the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte and PPOC in
recognition of valuable assistance to the province of
Southern Leyte and its municipalities in the
operationalization of Area Coordinating Center.
y.
Certificate of Recognition dated 31 July 2004
from RDCC, Region 8 in the successful implementation of
Disaster Management Program.
z.
Award of Palque of Recognition dated 01 July
2004, from the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte
in the conduct of retrieval, relief and rehabilitation
operation effort for the landslide victims in Panaon
Island.
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