17th Infantry (Do or Die) Battalion is currently located at Brgy Bangag, Lal-lo, Cagayan, and is operationally controlled by the 502nd Infantry Brigade of the 5th Infantry (Star) Division and presently covering the whole province of Cagayan and Apayao as its area of operation.
History The forerunner of the 17th Infantry Battalion prior to its activation was 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 got its name “17IB” when it was formerly activated on 16 October 1972 pursuant to General Orders Number 173, GHQ, AFP and placed under the direct control of HPA. All personnel and equipment of 6IB (Provisional) remained intact with the newly activated 17IB. The burden of organization, orientation, equipage and deployment fell on the leadership of then LTC Edon Y Yap. He took pain in completing the battalion equipment and uplifted capabilities when it was fielded in Central Luzon. It was almost one year gaining substantial and impressive success in its pacification campaign in Central Luzon when it was ordered to be shifted to Southern Philippines specifically in Lanao where Charlie Company was airlifted ahead of the battalion as advance group but was recalled after two months due to a sudden change of tactical events and consideration.
When the command of 17IB was passed to LTC Mateo V Bawagan, the unit's administrative, operational and related activities were accelerated to its highest peak which earned COL Bawagan the honor of having been adjudged as “The Most Outstanding Battalion Commander of Calendar Year 1974”.
On 8 July 1975, LTC Nolan C Laput assumed leadership of 17IB to LTC Juanito P Allas. After four years and 20 days of productive pacification campaign in the province of Isabela and Cagayan, 17IB was pulled-out of the area on 16 March 1977 to undergo much needed respite and rest and recreation, orientation and retraining regarding new tactics and trends in the field of counter-insurgency warfare. After almost two months of retraining and reorientation, LTC Adelino V Magday took the command of the unit on 7 June 1977. Its new AOR covers the tri-boundaries of Pampanga, Zambales and the Peninsula of Bataan. The Battalion Command Post was initially established at Sta Lucia, Capaz, Tarlac but was later transferred to St Roosevelt at Dinalupihan, Bataan on 12 October 1977. MAJ Expedito S Sosa took command on 17th IB MIB following the untimely demise of LTC Adelino Magday in a vehicular ambush. The new Battalion Commander was recognized for its outstanding accomplishment and the Certificate of Merit from the Commanding General, then NORESCOM dated 1 October 1981 was awarded to the unit.
The stewardship of 17IB was passed to LTC John R Bautista on 1 October 1982 and after a year of fruitful administration; the command of 17IB was passed to LTC Raul L Marquez. With the assumption of its new Commander, a balanced administrative, operation and CMO plans and programs were formulated and simultaneously implemented based on Security Campaign Plan of RUC2 and in conformity with OPLAN “KATATAGAN”. The steadfast spirit and enthusiasm lives in every member of the unit thereby contributing to the gains in the counter-insurgency campaign. Foremost is the dismantling of well-fortified based camp of Regular na Puwersang Makilos (RPM) influenced barangays of Marag, Kakandungan and Kalabigan, all of Luna, Kalinga-Apayao. The prevailing situation of the populace paved way to the introduction of Army Literacy Patrol System (ALPS) in Villa Cielo, Buguey, Cagayan, one of the remote sitios of the unit's AOR, benefiting 200 students from the poor and under-privileged members of our society. As a result, the unit was bestowed the award as Best Unit in Administrative for CY-84 and from its ranks emerged the Most Outstanding EP of the Year.
The unit AOR was aggressively occupied starting 1 May 1986 when a new commander of the unit was designated in the person of MAJ Peter H Espadero. The redeployment of its forces was characterized by a series of major, minor and small unit strike operations of search and destroys. Come late June 1986, the maneuver companies established its bases in tactical locations supporting each other. During the third quarter of 1987, new AOR re-sectoring took place and so, the unit took responsibility over the towns of Claveria, Sanchez Mira, Pamplona and a portion of Abulog, Luna, Pudtol and Flora from the 54IB. Afterwards, the unit took responsibility over the municipalities of Lasam, Sto Nino, Piat, Tuao and Rizal, all of Cagayan from 21IB. Thus, the unit again maneuvered its line companies in identified strategic locations which later resulted to the dissolution of Delta Company, and its personnel were absorbed by Alpha Company and HHSVCo. During the fourth quarter, minor changes were undertaken pertaining to the location of battalion headquarters. In view of its necessity, the battalion headquarters was transferred to Allacapan, Cagayan.
The year 1987 proved to be fruitful to 17IB. The unit inspired by its successful outcome, SOT operation was pursued at Southwestern Allacapan and extended in Abulog resulting to the voluntary surrender of more than 1,600 Subversive Mass Activists (SMA). Importantly, in this undertaking where the destruction of enemy political infrastructure took cognizance in said areas and saw the decline of the CT propaganda operation, thus constricting the enemy and further leaving no room of influence for the CTs. In view of this, come May 1988, the AOR of the unit expanded to Eastern Cagayan pursuant to the 5ID Campaign Plan. As a result, Charlie Company was redeployed to Gonzaga, Cagayan as its new AOR.
The unit was adjudged by the NOLCOM as the “Best Battalion for CY 88-89” which was added to the shining laurels of glory and fame reaped by the unit. LTC Francisco V Fuentes assumed the command on 4 July 1989. Commitment of the unit was continued, headed by the incumbent Commanding Officer. MAJ Rogelio G Rosete took command on 20 December 1989, when the political problems spreading in the entire province of Cagayan, and even hostile activities of Ultra Rightist Group and the Aguinaldo Fiasco in Tuguegarao, Cagayan was left in the hands of the newly assigned Commander. Despite this political turmoil, the unit effectively performed its assigned task/mission and ably rebounded back. The unit completed its movements from Cagayan Province on 8 April 1990, to relieve-in-place the 65th IB in Ilocos Sur and Cagayan Province. It covered 17 municipalities of Ilocos Sur and two towns of Ilocos Norte. From 1 April 1990 to December 1990, four identified CT camps and temporary bases of the enemy were discovered, attacked and neutralized by the unit during the period.
Meanwhile, MAJ Cesar P Tiongson took over the command from MAJ Rosete in October 1990 when the unit was stationed at Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur. Its status however was OPCON to 503rd Brigade pursuant to Section II, General Orders Nr 351, H5ID dated 29 September 1991 until 16 December 1991 to occupy Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao provinces in April 1991 the same date, the unit was placed OPCON to 503rd Brigade pursuant to Section III, General Orders Nr 430, H5ID dated 16 December 1991 in compliance to OPLAN “LANSAGIN DOS-TARABAY CHARLIE”. The unit headquarters with line companies moved from station in the province of Ifugao occupying Northeastern Cagayan, Calanasan, Conner and Kabugao of Kalinga-Apayao as its new AOR. During the stint in the area, numerous major and minor operations were conducted which resulted to 63 armed confrontations with the CTs and 12 CT camps were discovered and neutralized. At that point of time, noteworthy was the rating gained by the unit in all aspects of operations (combat/intelligence/CMO) that convinced higher headquarters to bestow upon the unit as 5ID, PA and NOLCOM Best Infantry Battalion for CY-92, respectively. The symbolic turn-over of command from LTC Tiongson to MAJ Emmanuel S Cayton transpired on 28 September 1993 with the same AOR.
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 132 barangays in addition to new AOR. In continuation of what has been started, the unit conducted tactical offensive operations that led to the recovery of 70 HPFAs, 24 LPFAs, 113 anti-personnel/tank mines, numerous explosive paraphernalia and considerable war materials. These accomplishments include the legendary recovery of 57 HPFAs of the enemy on 29 August 1994 at Sitio Ilaw, Brgy Poguin, Conner, Kalinga-Apayao. The over untiring efforts of the unit paid-off as it dealt serious decimation and reduction among CT rank and file in the AOR, thereby destroying the CTs and impose image of invincibility and fluidity which eventually freed the hopeless people in the AOR from the clutches and influence of the dreadful CPP–NPA–NDF. Because of these accomplishments, the unit earned the distinct honor of being adjudged as the Presidential Streamer Awardee for CY-94.
On the later part of 1994, the 17IB was again given its new AOR in Isabela Province. On 29 October 1994, the unit left Buluan, Conner, Kalinga-Apayao and established its new battalion headquarters at Brgy Morado, Ilagan, Isabela relieving 21IB. Thereafter, the unit immediately deployed its line companies and continued its determined efforts in pursuit of the Army's mission to curb the remnants of the enemy in the region and contribute to the government's vision of lasting peace and suitable deployment by the year 2000.
On 7 July 1995, MAJ Pedro S Soria II took over the command of the unit. With the assumption of command of MAJ Soria, the unit further intensified its efforts in fulfilling the unit mission. Although the primary responsibility of ISO in the area was given to the PNP, the unit never ceases and became even more aggressive in its campaign against the remnants of the CPP-NPA. With efficient TRIAD application for CY-95, the unit gained/recovered several high powered and low powered firearms, anti-personnel mines and different enemy communication equipment and other war materials. Likewise, the effective SCF/ACCORD application in AOR resulted to the surface of 92 CT supporters and dismantling of two CT organizations all in the same year.
On 18 December 1996, MAJ Honorato S Delos Reyes (FA) PA assumed command covering the same AOR pursuant to Section II, General Orders Nr 638, H5ID dated 13 December 1996. The commitment of the unit was continued with the efficient application of TRIAD Concept. During MAJ Delos Reyes' incumbency, the unit spearheaded the first ever SRA-CIVAC in Gamu, Isabela held on 19–21 July 1997. This SRA-CIVAC 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. The program which benefited thousands of indigent individuals was so successful that it was conducted in other municipalities in Isabela namely: Burgos, Mallig and Delfin Albano before MAJ Delos Reyes' term ended.
On 16 May 1998, LTC Rufinito Y Cordova INF (GSC) PA became the Battalion Commander of the unit. He led the unit on its mission of preserving peace through the application of the TRIAD Concept and administrative matters. Under his leadership, the unit produced the most number of awardees in the field of combat. Eight personnel were awarded with the Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action by LT General Raul S Urgello, Commanding General, Philippine Army on two separate occasions. The unit was also awarded Best Battalion for Operation, 3rd Quarter CY-98.