1st Brigade Combat Team (Philippines)


The 1st Brigade Combat Team, Philippine Army, is the Philippine Army's current primary combined arms and rapid deployment unit. It was formed out of a new concept that was among the lessons learned from the Battle of Marawi against terrorist forces in urban environment. It would also be the primary unit for territorial defense.
The maneuver components of the 1BCT are two infantry battalions and one mechanized infantry battalion plus maneuver support consisting of specialized enablers such as field artillery and engineer combat battalions, reconnaissance company and units from signal, intelligence, civil-military operations, military police, explosive ordnance, CBRN, and sustainment components composed of a forward service support unit and a forward medical platoon. It should have around 3,000 officers and enlisted personnel at full strength.

History

It is expected that the unit will undergo its first joint military training with US forces in the upcoming Salaknib and Balikatan Exercises slated for 2019.
It has been reported by Philippine Media on 30 May 2019 that the 1st Brigade Combat Team will be assigned to the 11th Infantry Division in Sulu to aid in the operations against the Abu Sayyaf. These troops arrived on board the BRP Tarlac on 31 May 2019.
On 28 June 2019, two suicide bombers detonated themselves at the gate of the tactical command post of the First Brigade Combat Team in Sitio Tanjung, Barangay Kajatian, Sulu. The blast killed three soldiers and three civilians as well as the bombers. It is believed that this is the first instance of a suicide bombing conducted by native Filipinos.

Lineage of Commanding Officers

The following are the units attached with the 1st Brigade Combat Team: