STRENGTHENING THE SQUAD: 53IB Launches Matapat Squad Challenge 2022

To test the competency of its best squads, the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) held the Matapat Squad Challenge 2022 in connection with its 37th Founding Anniversary Celebration with the theme “Matapat @ 37: Victory in Time of Convergence” at 53IB Headquarters, Camp Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur on January 20, 2022.

The squad challenge, headed by an officer, is physical activity that will measure the physical strength, cohesion, unity and the camaraderie of the squad. This intends to measure the physical strength, cohesion, unity, and camaraderie of the best and strongest squads among Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Headquarters —the 4 Line Companies of the Battalion.

The Matapat Squad Challenge is composed of Rifle Assembly and Disassembly, Knot Tying, Combat Life Saver, Harris Radio Programming, Map Reading, Squad Run, Endurance Firing, and Titan Games.

In a statement, 53rd IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Herrera stressed out that the Matapat Challenge is one way of looking for the physical and mental cohesiveness and strength of the squad, encouraging them to exert their best efforts to win the competition.

“The [Matapat Squad] Challenge is not easy because it will demand tremendous amount of strength, stamina and speed. However, you should also remember that winning should always be second only for the love of the game itself,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.

The hailed winner for this year’s Matapat Squad Challenge was a squad from 53IB’s Scout Platoon led by its Platoon Leader 2Lt. Luke Creighton Patacsil.

Final Result for Matapat Squad Challenge:
CHAMPION: Scout Platoon
1ST RUNNER UP: BRAVO COMPANY
2ND RUNNER UP: ALPHA COMPANY
3RD RUNNER UP: CHARLIE COMPANY