The Philippine Army’s Armor “Pambato” Division celebrated its 46th founding anniversary in Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac on June 16, 2022, as the division ushers in a new horizon of its modernization.
The anniversary celebration, anchored on the theme “Makabagong Armor sa Pagsulong ng Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran,” was graced by AFP Chief of Staff, General Andres Centino who served as Guest of Honor and Speaker.
“As we move forward to our modernization, we are confident that the Team Armor can achieve our goals as we carry out our roles in security to pave the way towards peace and development. Hence, we will continue to build on our history of past achievements and provide flesh to our theme “Makabagong Armor sa Pagsulong ng Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran,” Armor Division Commander Maj. Gen. Efren P. Baluyot, meanwhile, said in his anniversary remarks.
It can be recalled that Armor Division reactivated on April 2022 the 1st Tank Battalion which traces its roots to the organization of the 1st Cavalry Regiment under the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division in 1935. The battalion, which is foreseen to play a key role in the defense of the country’s land domain, will be composed of newly acquired and upcoming assets such as 18 Sabrah ASCOD light tanks, 10 Pandur 8x8 wheeled light tanks, a command vehicle, a recovery vehicle, and a tank gunnery simulator acquired under the AFP Revised Modernization Program’s Horizon 2.
Armor Division, known for its moniker “Pambato” (Piling yunit ng Hukbong Katihan na panlaban sa larangan ng pakikidigma), started from an Army component mounted on horseback. With the modest gains and successes from the Armor Modernization Program, it now proudly hosts a horde of modern Armored Vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art weapon systems and highly proficient personnel.
Photos: Armor Division, Philippine Army