4 Sabrah light tanks deployed in Mindanao

ILIGAN CITY – Four Sabrah ASCOD II light tanks have boosted the Philippine Army’s armored combat and security capability, with their delivery in Mindanao.

Brig. Gen. Bernardo Taqueban, commander of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade based in this city, said the Sabrah light tanks arrived at the Philippine Ports Authority complex at 8 a.m. from Cavite.

The Philippine Navy’s BRP Bacolod City delivered the military tanks.

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READ: Army deploys Sabrah tanks in Tarlac exercise“The Sabrah ASCOD II light tank delivers an unprecedented blend of lethal firepower, networked battlefield intelligence, and tactical mobility,” Taqueban said.

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One of the four Sabrah light tanks was named in honor of the late Army Capt. Rommel B. Sandoval, commander of the 11th Scout Ranger Company, 4th Scout Ranger Battalion of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment.

Sandoval was killed on September 10, 2017, during the five-month Marawi siege and was conferred the Medal of Valor for his bravery. 

Commander Ramil Gregorio Demoni, commanding officer of BRP Bacolod City, said they sailed for three days from Cavite to bring the light tanks here as requested by the Capas, Tarlac-based Armor “Pambato” Division.

The acquisition of the Israeli-made Sabrah light tanks, equipped with a 105 mm cannon and fitted with armor protection systems, is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program.

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Of the 12 Sabrah light tanks delivered to the AFP so far, four were the first deployed in Mindanao, Taqueban said.

Taqueban stressed that the Sabrah light tanks will boost the country’s external territorial defense capability and sustain the ground forces during internal security operations, particularly within the jurisdiction of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division and Western Mindanao Command.

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READ: More troops, tanks coming to beef up security for Bangsamoro polls

“The Sabrah ASCOD II elevates the armor force from traditional infantry-fighting support to a highly sophisticated maneuver element,” he said.

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The four Sabrah light tanks are now pre-positioned at Camp Sultan Barodin in Barangay Maria Cristina, Iligan City, the headquarters of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade./coa