BACOLOD CITY -The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has declared that there are no more active New People’s Army guerilla fronts in Negros Island.
Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3ID commander, however said the Philippine Army will remain in the newly-established region, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines transitions to providing external security.
There are two Army infantry brigades presently stationed in Negros Island, which supervises six Army battalions.
Samson said they are relentlessly putting pressure on the NPA remnants to push them to return to the folds of the law.
“We are making their lives miserable in the mountains to make them realize that fighting the government with arms is futile and useless,” he added.
On August 27, Samson installed Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan as the new commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade stationed in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.
Jumawan replaced Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, who has been designated Assistant Division Commander (ADC) of 3ID.
During his stint as its commanding officer since 2023, Escanillas led the 302nd Infantry Brigade in dismantling of South West Front (SWF) of the Komiteng Rehiyonal- Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, and its Regional Strike Force (RSF), and initiated 29 encounters in Negros and Bohol, which led to the neutralization of 35 rebels, including five NPA top officials, the recovery of 65 high powered and low-powered firearms, and 15 anti-personnel mines.
The SWF has been considered by the 3ID as the mother of all guerilla units in Negros Island. Other guerilla units declared dismantled were the Northern Negros Front, Central Negros Fronts 1 and 2, as well as the South East Front of KR-NCBS.
The focused military operations of 302nd Infantry Brigade also led to the surrender of 21 rebels during the same period.
While he does not want to see more clashes occur between government troops and the NPA rebels, Samson warned that they are ready to respond anytime, if the NPA remnants persist in their armed struggle against the government. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvdswith PNA reports photo by tvds)