Local executives in Central Mindanao are elated with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s grant of streamer awards to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and its two brigades for neutralizing two terror groups and securing the surrender of hundreds of communist insurgents in recent months. The awards were handed over during a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on December 19, as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 90th founding anniversary.
The 6th Infantry Division and the 601st and 603rd Infantry Brigades received the streamer awards for their remarkable accomplishments in the government’s anti-terror campaign in Region 12 and parts of the Bangsamoro region. Governors Emmylou Mendoza of Cotabato and Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. of South Cotabato praised the units for their achievements, citing the surrender of over 1,000 members of the Dawlah Islamiya and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the past five years.
The 601st Infantry Brigade received a streamer award for its anti-terror operations in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, which resulted in the death of Muhiden Animbang, the top leader of the BIFF. The brigade also worked with local government units to secure the surrender of 715 Dawlah Islamiya and BIFF terrorists in the past 36 months.
The 6th Infantry Division received a streamer award for efficiently hosting the PHILINDO Strike V 2025 security drills with Indonesian military units in Maguindanao del Norte. The division’s commander, Major Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, also received an award for the division’s anti-terror efforts and its role in the rehabilitation of almost 2,000 terrorists who have pledged allegiance to the government.
Maguindanao del Norte Vice Gov. Marshall Sinsuat expressed happiness with the 6th Infantry Division’s receipt of the AFP streamer award, citing the division’s involvement of local communities in its peacebuilding efforts. The award is seen as a recognition of the importance of multi-sector involvement in peacebuilding activities in the region.
