17th Infantry Battalion 17th Infantry ( Do or Die ) Battalion currently located at Brgy Masin , Alcala , Cagayan is operationally controlled by the 501st Brigade of the 5th Infantry ( Star ) Division and presently covering the whole province of Cagayan and north Apayao as its area of operation . History . The 17th Infantry Battalion traces its roots on the 6th Infantry Battalion ( Provisional ) placed under the direct control and supervision of HPP as strike / reaction force of Greater Manila Area , commanded then by LTC Restituto C Padilla . The unit was renamed " 17IB " when it was formerly activated on October 16 , 1972 pursuant to General Orders Number 173 , GHQ , AFP with all of the personnel and equipment of 6IB ( Provisional ) remained intact within the newly activated unit . The burden of organization , orientation , equipage and deployment fell on the leadership of then LTC Edon Y Yap who take charged of completing the battalion equipment and uplifted capabilities when it was fielded in Central Luzon . After a year in Central Luzon the unit was ordered to be shifted to Southern Philippines specifically in Lanao area where one of its companies , Charlie Company , was airlifted ahead of the battalion as advance group . Due to sudden changed of tactical events and consideration the order was rescinded and the advance group was recalled after two ( 2 ) months . When the command of 17IB was passed to LTC Mateo V Bawagan , the unit ’ s administrative , operational and other related activities were accelerated to its highest peak which earned him adjudged as “ The Most Outstanding Battalion Commander of Calendar Year 1974 ” . From 1979 to 1981 , another battalion commander of significance is the late LTC Adelino V . Magday who was also adjudged as " The Most Outstanding Battalion Commander of Calendar 1980 ( ? ) . " Its new AOR covers the tri - boundaries of Pampanga , Zambales and the Peninsula of Bataan . The Battalion Command Post was initially established at Sta Lucia , Capaz , Tarlac but was later transferred to St Roosevelt at Dinalupihan , Bataan on 12 October 1977 . Under his tenure , 17 MIB ( Mechanize Infantry Battalion ) won the award " Best Battalion " for two consecutive years . Soon after his unexpected demise on the election day of 1981 due to an ambush , in recognition to his outstanding performance , the camp in Lallo , Cagayan was later " unofficially " named after him . The year 1987 proved to be fruitful to 17IB when under Maj Peter H Espadero , the unit was adjudged by the NOLCOM as the “ Best Battalion CY 88 - 89 which was added to the shining laurels of glory and fame reaped by the unit . Under the leadership of Maj Cesar P Tiongson the unit moved to the province of Ifugao occupying Northbyeastern Cagayan , Calanasan , Conner and Kabugao of Kalinga - Apayao . During the stint in the area , numerous major and minor operations were conducted which resulted for the unit to be adjudged as the 5ID , PA and NOLCOM Best Infantry Battalion for the year 1992 . Few months later , the unit AOR was expanded and covered the municipalities of Rizal , Sto Nino and Lasam , all of Cagayan with one hundred thirty two ( 132 ) barangays in addition to its previous area of operation . While conducting operation in the area , on 29 August 1994 , the unit was able to recover fifty - seven ( 57 ) High powered firearms from the enemy at Sitio Ilaw , Brgy Poguin , Conner , Kalinga - Apayao . The untiring efforts of the unit paid - off as it dealt serious decimation and reduction among CPP / NPA / NDF rank and file in the area , which resulted to the destruction of the communist self - imposed image of invincibility and fluidity . Because of its numerous accomplishments , the unit earned the Presidential Streamer for the year 1994 . On the later part of 1994 , the 17IB was again given its new AOR in Isabela Province . On 29 October 1994 , the unit left Kalinga - Apayao and established its new Battalion Headquarters at Brgy Morado , Ilagan , Isabela . The commitment of the unit was continued with the efficient application of the TRIAD Concept under the leadership of Maj Delos Reyes . The unit spearheaded the first ever SRA - CIVAC in Gamu , Isabela held on 19 – 21 July 1997 which was the basis for the subsequent Philippine Army Program which was later dubbed as the Community Assistance for Rural Empowerment through Social Services ( CARES ) Program . Under the able leadership of LTC Rufinito Y Cordova , the unit was able to produce the most number of awardees in the field of combat . Most glaring of which are the eight ( 8 ) personnel awarded with Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action by then Lt Gen Raul S Urgello , the Commanding General of the Philippine Army , in two ( 2 ) separate and distinct occasions . These laudable performances have paved the way in the unit realization of another award , Best Battalion for Operation , 3rd Quarter calendar year 1998 .