 In 1971, he assumed command of the 9th Tactical Fighter "Limbas" Squadron.His last assignment was as Commander of the joint 7th and 9th Tactical Fighter Squadrons of the Sulu Air Task Group (SATAG) which was deployed in Edwin Andrews Air Base, Zamboanga, for Counter-insurgency (COIN) operations against insurgent separatists in Mindanao.Antonio Bautista is the only airman known to have served with all five fighter squadrons in the Philippine Air Force 5th Fighter Wing; the 105th, 6th TFS, 7th TFS, 8th FS and 9th TFS.