President Rodrigo Duterte activated the 11th Infantry Division (11ID) of Philippine Army at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters (KHTBH) in Jolo, Sulu on December 17.
According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo the new infantry division “shall be oriented, armed, and equipped to address the peculiarity of the enemy, weather, and terrain; as well as enemy techniques, tactics and procedure; and other variables that are unique to the island province of Sulu.”
“The President expressed concern that, despite the AFP garnering major victories in Sulu, government security forces continue to incur casualties. The AFP leadership, and in response to the clamor from the local government executives, has recommended the activation of a division-sized unit that shall be permanently stationed in Sulu Archipelago,” Brigadier General Arevalo explained.
Sources: https://pcoo.gov.ph/photos/?post_id=81680; http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1055828