MALITBOG, Bukidnon — After two years of relentless combat operations in some of the most rugged and conflict-affected areas of Bukidnon, the soldiers of the 28th Infantry “Kamagong” Battalion formally bid farewell to the province during a historic send-off ceremony on May 13, marking the end of their deployment under the operational control of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
The ceremony gathered military officials, government representatives, and stakeholders who recognized the battalion’s contribution to the government’s counterinsurgency campaign in the province. Among those present was Brig. Gen. Consolito Yecla, who joined the troops in commemorating the battalion’s service and sacrifices in Bukidnon.
Deployed from their mother unit, the 10th Infantry Division, the 28IB was tasked to help secure mountainous areas long considered strongholds of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), particularly in the Lakbangan Complex, Saldav Complex, and the vast Pantaron Range.
For the Kamagong Troopers, the mission was more than just a military assignment — it became a defining chapter in the battalion’s history.
Military officials described the deployment as a grueling but meaningful experience marked by exhaustion, danger, sacrifice, and brotherhood. Soldiers endured harsh terrain, difficult weather conditions, and armed encounters while carrying out focused military operations aimed at dismantling insurgent networks operating in the hinterlands of Bukidnon.
“From the unforgiving terrains of the Lakbangan Complex, the depths of the Saldav Complex, to the vast Pantaron Range, the Kamagong Troopers endured every hardship, faced every challenge, and stood firm in every fight,” the battalion said in a statement.
The unit emphasized that its accomplishments were made possible through the cooperation of local communities, government agencies, and partner security forces that worked together to restore peace and stability in previously conflict-stricken areas.
According to the battalion, the combined efforts contributed significantly to the dismantling and weakening of CTG influence in several remote communities once affected by armed conflict and insurgency-related violence.
The soldiers also reflected on the deep bond they built during their deployment, describing Bukidnon as their “second home.”
“It was one hell of a ride — exhausting, dangerous, unforgettable, and meaningful,” the battalion stated, adding that the experience forged the troops into stronger and more battle-tested soldiers.
“We came as warriors, we leave as brothers — stronger, battle-tested, and proud to have served the people of Bukidnon,” the statement added.
Following the declaration of “mission accomplished,” the 28th Infantry Battalion will now return to the operational jurisdiction of the 10th Infantry Division and is expected to be redeployed as an additional security force in Magpet, Cotabato.
The send-off ceremony symbolized not only the end of a major military deployment but also the transition of Bukidnon from years of insurgency-related tension toward a more stable and peaceful environment, according to military officials.