PORTRAYAL OF UNIT SEAL
The unit has adopted its seal with a shield-like shaped, crossed M-16 Rifles, and a white dove with a leaf on its beak, which represents the following:
1. SHIELD – Symbolizes the primary mission of the unit in protecting the Filipino people from threat and oppression.
2. RED OUTLINE OF THE SHIELD – Symbolizes the courage, bravery and fearlessness of the 87IB troopers in accomplishing their assigned mission and tasks, sacrificing their personal desires over and above the military service.
3. THREE GOLDEN STARS – Symbolizes the willingness and enthusiasm of the unit to be assigned anywhere in the three major islands of the country as a call of duty and service to the people.
4. CROSS RIFLES – Symbolizes the primary duty of the 87IB trooper as a capable infantry unit of the army.
5. DOVE – Symbolizes the non-traditional role of the unit in supporting the national government in pursuing lasting peace which is the backbone to development.
6. 87 – Symbolizes the numerical designation of the unit superimposed by an octagonal star which is the symbol of the 8th Infantry Division to which the unit was originally activated and organized.
7. HINIRANG – Means the “CHOSEN ONE.” This is the motto that the unit embraces epitomized the standard that wherever it goes, 87IB will be loved by the Filipino people as their true protector.
UNIT
HISTORY
87TH
INFANTRY (HINIRANG) BATTALION
The 87th Infantry (HINIRANG) Battalion was activated on
15 February 2010 pursuant to General Orders Nr 145 Headquarters Philippine Army
dated 16 March 2010: However, the formal activation was on 14 April 2010 at the
Headquarters of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army in Camp
Lukban, Brgy Maulong, Catbalogan, WSamar with four (4) officers and ninety
one (91) enlisted men initially
assigned personnel. Later, additional personnel coming from different organic
units of 8ID particularly from other Infantry Battalions and DRCs reported to
87IB to fill-up the 70% effective strength based on the Bn TOE.
The unit adopted the Pilipino heard “Hinirang” meaning “The Chosen One” as its name alluding to
the fact that it was the first and only infantry battalion organized and
activated in Eastern Visayas particularly in Samar. MAJOR GENERAL ARTHUR TABAQUERO AFP the Commander of the 8th
Infantry Division officiated the activation and installation of its first Acting
Commanding Officer, LTC LEO LORENZO A
MADROÑAL INF (GSC) PA of 87IB on 14 April 2010.
Upon its activation, the unit was immediately deployed at
Brgy Erenas, San Jorge, WSamar for purposes of Organizational and
Pre-deployment Training. However, in compliance with the higher headquarters
directive and with the necessity for the troops to perform election duties, the
unit was tasked to secure parts of Samar Island in the first automated National
Election in May 2010 to ensure honest, peaceful and credible elections in the
assigned area specifically Tarangnan, San Jorge, Gandara, Sta Margarita,
Pagsanjan, Calbayog, Sto Niño, Almagro and Tagapul-an, all of Samar Province.
After the mandated unit training, 87IB was deployed in
Silvino Lobos, Samar from and in the Pacific Towns of Northern Samar namely:
Laong, Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay and Lapinig all of NSamar in until 20 July 2011.
Since 25 July 2011, 87IB is presently stationed in
Poblacion, San Jose de Buan having jurisdiction of fifteen (15) municipalities
of the second District of Samar Province except Catbalogan.
On 01 October 2011, LTC
CERILO C BALAORO JR INF (GSC) PA assumed as the second Commanding Officer
of 87IB in a change of Command Ceremony held at Camp Lukban presided by MGEN MARIO F CHAN AFP, Commander, 8th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
Gradually, the Hinirang Battalion from its place in
achieving its task and responsibilities following the dictum of Excellence and
Professionalism. Despite being the youngest infantry Battalion in the entire
Philippine Army the unit was able to achieve great feats as manifested by three
(3) prestigious awards received namely: Most Combat Efficient Unit of 8th
Infantry Division for Calendar Year 2012, Best Infantry Battalion of Central
Command and Philippine Army for Calendar Year 2012.
On
03 September 2013, LTC ANTONIO B DULNUAN
JR INF (GSC) PA assumed as the third Commanding Officer of 87IB in a change
of Command Ceremony held at 87IB, Main Command Post at Barangay Poblacion 2,
San Jose de Buan, WSamar presided by MGEN
GERARDO T LAYUG AFP, Commander, 8th Infantry Division,
Philippine Army.
Once
again the unit gained its momentum in gaining positive results both combat
& non- combat dimension that resulted to the noteworthy apprehension of Renato BALEROS @ KANOR the Secretary of
the Samar Provincial Party Committee (SPPC) that the unit was adjudged as the “MOST COMBAT EFFICIENT” Battalion of
8ID for CY 2013 and as the “BEST
BATTALION” for CY 2014. It was also
the later worked it out for the transfer of the battalion
headquarters from San Jose de Buan to its present location at Brgy Polangi,
Calbiga, WSamar on 17 February 2014.
On 15 June 2015, LTC GEORGE M DOMINGO INF (GSC) PA assumed as the fourth
Commanding Officer of 87IB in a change of Command Ceremony held at 87IB, Main
Command Post at Barangay Polangi, Calbiga, WSamar presided by MGEN JET B VELARMINO AFP, Commander, 8th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
On
19 June 2016 to present, LTC MIGUEL E
CEBALLOS INF (GSC) PA assumed last 19 June 2016
and was his second time of stint as battalion commander for his entire career.
As
of now, 87IB was covering whole 2nd
district of Samar with a total of thirteen
(13) Main land Municpalities namely, San Jose de Buan, Jiabong, Motiong,
Paranas, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Sta Rita, Villareal,
Talalora, Basey & Marabut. The unit also covers two (2) Island Municipalities namely; Daram and Zumarraga and one (1) City namely Catbalogan City
were the division headquarters was located. With a total number of 467
barangays and 3,232 sq kms.
