Sixty-two soldiers and reservists have completed a battlefield medical training program conducted by the Service Support Battalion (SSBn) of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Philippine Army, held from October 19 to 26, 2026, at Camp Siongco, Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
The Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) of the 6th Infantry Division announced in an October 31, 2026 press release that the Forward Treatment Unit (FTU) Readiness Training was led by Lt. Col. Nonie M. Ruizal.
Composition of Trainees
Of the 62 participants, 51 were students drawn from organic line units within the 6th Infantry Division, while the remaining 11 were reservists belonging to the 12th and 16th Regional Community Defense Groups, the DPAO said. The training was designed to sharpen participants' skills and knowledge in FTU operations, with emphasis on delivering medical support in forward-deployed and resource-limited environments.
Training Curriculum
According to the DPAO release, the program combined classroom lectures with hands-on practical exercises. Topics covered included FTU organization and operations, logistical sustainment, medical equipment management, Prolonged Field Care, emergency medical response procedures, and the management of combat casualties.
Black Hawk Helicopter Evacuation Drill
A culminating simulation exercise served as a major highlight of the training, featuring a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter used for casualty evacuation procedures, the DPAO reported. The exercise was intended to underscore the value of coordinated medical response and the importance of timely evacuation during battlefield operations.
FTU Displayed at 6ID Anniversary
The Forward Treatment Unit was also set up and put on display during the 39th Anniversary celebration of the 6th Infantry Division, according to the DPAO. The showcase was witnessed by Lt. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, and Brig. Gen. Edgar L. Catu, Commander of the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central.
Commander Highlights Need for Medical Readiness
Brig. Gen. Catu, in his message, stressed that battlefield medical readiness is a critical operational requirement, especially in forward areas where personnel must work under difficult conditions, constrained resources, and time-sensitive circumstances, the DPAO said.
Catu noted that prompt and appropriate medical intervention can determine whether a wounded soldier lives or dies. He further said that medical personnel must stay highly trained, adaptable, and mission-ready so that no soldier is denied proper medical care regardless of battlefield conditions.
The general also said that saving lives carries weight beyond medical duty — it is essential to sustaining the Division's operational effectiveness and completing its mission, according to the DPAO.
Part of Broader SSBn Readiness Program
The DPAO described the training as part of the SSBn's sustained drive to build up the medical readiness and operational capacity of the 6th Infantry Division, consistent with the Philippine Army's commitment to responsive troop medical support in demanding field conditions.
Source: 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Philippine Army — Division Public Affairs Office