17th Infantry (Do or Die) Battalion

17th Infantry (Do or Die) Battalion currently located at Brgy Masin, Alcala, Cagayan is operationally controlled by the 501st Brigade of the 5th Infantry (Star) Division and presently covering the whole province of Cagayan and north Apayao as its area of operation.

History

The 17th Infantry Battalion traces its roots on the 6th Infantry Battalion (Provisional) placed under the direct control and supervision of HPA as strike/reaction force of Greater Manila Area, commanded then by LTC Restituto C Padilla. The unit was renamed "17IB" when it was formerly activated on October 16, 1972 pursuant to General Orders Number 173, GHQ, AFP with all of the personnel and equipment of 6IB (Provisional) remained intact within the newly activated unit. The burden of organization, orientation, equipage and deployment fell on the leadership of then LTC Edon Y Yap who take charged of completing the battalion equipment and uplifted capabilities when it was fielded in Central Luzon. After a year in Central Luzon the unit was ordered to be shifted to Southern Philippines specifically in Lanao area where one of its companies, Charlie Company, was airlifted ahead of the battalion as advance group. Due to sudden changed of tactical events and consideration the order was rescinded and the advance group was recalled after two (2) months.

When the command of 17IB was passed to LTC Mateo V Bawagan, the unit’s administrative, operational and other related activities were accelerated to its highest peak which earned him adjudged as “The Most Outstanding Battalion Commander of Calendar Year 1974”.

The year 1987 proved to be fruitful to 17IB when under Maj Peter H Espadero, the unit was adjudged by the NOLCOM as the “Best Battalion CY 88-89 which was added to the shining laurels of glory and fame reaped by the unit.

Under the leadership of Maj Cesar P Tiongson the unit moved to the province of Ifugao occupying Northeastern Cagayan, Calanasan, Conner and Kabugao of Kalinga-Apayao . During the stint in the area, numerous major and minor operations were conducted which resulted for the unit to be adjudged as the 5ID, PA and NOLCOM Best Infantry Battalion for the year 1992.

Few months later, the unit AOR was expanded and covered the municipalities of Rizal, Sto Nino and Lasam, all of Cagayan with one hundred thirty two (132) barangays in addition to its previous area of operation. While conducting operation in the area, on 29 August 1994, the unit was able to recover fifty-seven (57) High powered firearms from the enemy at Sitio Ilaw, Brgy Poguin, Conner, Kalinga-Apayao. The untiring efforts of the unit paid-off as it dealt serious decimation and reduction among CPP/NPA/NDF rank and file in the area, which resulted to the destruction of the communist self-imposed image of invincibility and fluidity. Because of its numerous accomplishments, the unit earned the Presidential Streamer for the year 1994.

On the later part of 1994, the 17IB was again given its new AOR in Isabela Province. On 29 October 1994, the unit left Kalinga-Apayao and established its new Battalion Headquarters at Brgy Morado, Ilagan, Isabela. The commitment of the unit was continued with the efficient application of the TRIAD Concept under the leadership of Maj Delos Reyes. The unit spearheaded the first ever SRA-CIVAC in Gamu, Isabela held on 19-21 July 1997 which was the basis for the subsequent Philippine Army Program which was later dubbed as the Community Assistance for Rural Empowerment through Social Services (CARES) Program.

Under the able leadership of LTC Rufinito Y Cordova, the unit was able to produce the most number of awardees in the field of combat. Most glaring of which are the eight (8) personnel awarded with Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action by then Lt Gen Raul S Urgello, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, in two (2) separate and distinct occasions. These laudable performances have paved the way in the unit realization of another award, Best Battalion for Operation, 3rd Quarter calendar year 1998.