HISTORY OF THE 62IB

 The 62ND Infantry (Unifier) Battalion was organized in 1987 out of the  Security and Escort Group of Headquarters, Philippine Army. However, with its involvement in the August 28, 1987 Coup Attempt, it was deactivated in the same year.  The escalation of the insurgency problems in the island of Samar paved the way for its reactivation on 16 December 1988.  As instruments of Peace and Unity, “UNIFIER” became the rallying slogan of the unit to manifest a soldier’s fervour to fight in order to win the hearts and minds of the people. For seven (7) years, the Battalion faithfully served the people of Samar and never again joined any organization who planned to overthrow the seat of power in the government.  From 1988 to 1995 “UNIFIER” had ably contributed a major role in the all-out campaign against insurgency, to include rescue and relief operation in the areas of Calbayog City, municipality  of Gandara, Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Hinabangan, Motiong, Paranas, Jiabong and Calbiga all of western Samar.

 Hard work coupled with wholehearted dedication to duty showed by the officers and men of the 62IB resulted to the unit’s being adjudged as the maneuvering battalion of the Visayas Command in 1990, and no less than the Secretary of the National Defense, Fidel V Ramos, presented the award.

 On October 5, 1995 the Battalion sailed for Mindanao specifically to the island of BASILAN.  This is the first unit of the 8TH Infantry (Storm Troopers) Division to step in the soil of Mindanao.  After four (4) months stint in Basilan, the Battalion moved to Zamboanga City, and placed OPCON to Zamboanga City Internal Defense Command (ZCIDC) which was later renamed “Tasked Force Zamboanga”.  The troops learned to operate in the urban terrain of the “City of Flowers” and later mastered the intricacies of Zamboanga in a few months.  It was during the time of LTC RAOUL J REYES (1996-1999) that the Battalion had seen better days as recorded in its operation accomplishments. (Although there were also experiences during his term which is better left untouched.

 On June 18, 1999, the Battalion was redeployed to Agusan del Sur and some parts of Surigao del Sur.  The Officers and men of the “UNIFIER” took this as a new challenge not withstanding the face of uncertainties in their new place of assignment.  Nevertheless, it is just a matter of time and once again their dynamism was proven as they adapted to their new environment as if Agusan is their second hometown.

 Like a good Soldier, 62IB never hesitates to move when order is given. After three (3) years of serving Agusanon even the expense of one of its  Battalion Commander (MAJ NESTOR T VELASCO (INF) PA who was ambushed in Calingayan, Consuelo, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur on 14 August 2000), eight (8) enlisted personnel (Sgt Montigo, Cpl Achazo and Cpl Siga were ambushed in San Luis, Agusan del Sur in the year 1999) and four (4) others (Sgt Sultan, Sgt  Balagot, Cpl Tabogara and Pfc Buising were ambushed in Tagbina, Surigao del  Sur in the year 2001).

 Alpha Company 62IB had seen action in Lanao del Sur during the siege of Narciso –Ramos Hi-Way by the MILF. It was tasked to reinforce troops under  4ID in that part of the archipelago.  Troops who had gone before us in the name of peace in Lanao campaign were as follows:  Cpl Vergara, Cpl Tilos and Cpl  Laureno were killed in action on 27 APRIL 2000.

 Likewise, Bravo Company had its toll too, Sgt Nayangga was also killed in action on 24 November 2000, when Bravo Company was ambushed in Bingcongan, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur.

 In commence to the AFP Coin, the Battalion had engaged itself in the fight against Social ill of society by providing livelihood projects, conducts of ALPS Classes, Medical Civic Action and other projects which help alleviate the people’s standard of living. This Battalion reached its highest accomplishment in these areas of endeavour during the tour of duty of MAJ NESTOR T VELASCO (INF) PA with series of MSOT projects he spearheaded in the town of Trento, Agusan del Sur.  The Battalion was able to clear multiple areas previously strongholds of the CTs and was adjudged as one of the best ALPS operator in CARAGA Region.

 Strong community relation coupled with good intelligence and timely combat operation had brought the Battalion to its heights of achievement.  However, if there were highs the Battalion can be proud of, there were also lows.  The Battalion is on its lowest point of morale during the term of LTC IDULFO G GUERRA JR (2001-2003) when the Battalion Commander was accused of not paying the subsistence allowance of CAFGU ACTIVE AUXILLIARY in  Surigao del Sur for three (3) consecutive months.  The issue affected the Battalion so much when even the local Radio Stations and the CAFGU themselves were already questioning the integrity of the troops handling them. The case reached as far as the office of the DND.

 The movement of the Battalion from one assignment to another shows its versatility, which is one of the imperatives of higher Headquarters, has emphasized to all Battalions.  Through all this weather of change and different operational environment, its commitment remains fixed and they adhered with great tenacity to their moniker “UNIFIER”, to bring Peace and Unity wherever they may go.  The ills of negativism which usually affected soldiers when they their families behind and more from one place to another never left its mark to the men of Unifier Battalion. The socialization they learned in different kinds of communities even enriched their skills in dealing with people thus, becoming more productive in their career, the profession of arms.

 After eight (8) years of stint in Mindanao on 16 August 2003, the Battalion left the island of Mindanao and returned to its mother unit in Samar.  Under a newly designated Battalion Commander, LTC AMADEO F AZUL JR GSC (INF) PA, the Battalion was directed by the higher Headquarters to undergo one (1) month refresher Training at Camp Eugenio Daza, Brgy Fatima, Hinabangan, Western Samar which successfully completed on 25 September 2003.  The Unit was redeployed to its new AOR establishing it’s Headquarters at San Roque, Llorente, Eastern Samar to continue maintaining Peace and Order situation in our new area of operation.    All through the period of LTC AMADEO F AZUL JR, he spearheaded various reforms and improvement of the unit operations and administration management.

 On 09 August 2004, LTC REYNALDO CELSO A LANUZO GSC (INF) PA, assumed as Battalion Commander of this unit. During his period the unit gained respect through the accomplishment that contributed to his mother unit, to the 8th Infantry (Storm Troopers) Division, Philippine Army that transpired on 26 October and 13 December 2004 to the successful encounters and recoveries of enemy equipment and firearms in the municipality of Borongan, Eastern Samar. If there is gains, there is also loses and challenge to the unit. It is the ambushed incident of our six comrades headed by late 2LT TAN on 08 April 2005, which resulted to the lost of lives of the SOT squad of the said officer in the vicinity Brgy Caamlongan, Calbiga, Western Samar. That incident, the enemy defeated our troops but not the will of our soldiers to fight and finish this campaign against insurgency because that day, mark the end of their regime and support of their masses. These was proven during SOT-Clearing operation this unit in cutting-off all supports to the enemy from financial, intelligence networking and moral resulted to the neutralization of the CTs and sympathizer to the unit. Presently, the battalion is still in the stewardship of LTC LANUZO, commanding Officer this unit.

 Since reactivation in 1988, 62IB had proven its tenacity and perseverance against all odds in its pursuit of accomplishing the given mission.  It had survived and emerged victorious in the fight against the MILF and the CPP/NPA both in  Mindanao and in the Visayas. It has survived any kind of environment (Urban or Rural). It has survived leadership problem. Hence, 62IB is expected to successfully accomplish its current mission to dismantle / defeat the SSF1.