Bacolod City – As focused military operations against remnants of the New People’s Army continue without let up, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander, also ordered Army units stationed in Negros Island to make an effort in countering urban operations of NPA allied organizations, which may provide rebel remnants of logistical and financial support.
In his series of visits to the 15th, 47th, 62nd, 79th Infantry Battalions and 303rd Infantry Brigade recently, Sison stressed that the logistical and financial support coming from the CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) urban operations to the armed rebels, must be prevented, for them not to recover and regain influence of previously cleared communities.
With the unprecedented success of combat operations in Negros, he emphasized that effort must now be devoted in countering CTG Urban Operations through re-orientation/re-direction of CTG Affiliated Mass Organizations (CAMOs) and cooptation of Sectoral Front Organizations (SFOs) and other allied organizations operating in urban areas and town centers.
“We must not rest on our laurels. We shall not relax. Instead, we shall incessantly conduct Focused Military Operations (FMO) and counter-CTG Urban Operations to attain our goal of ending insurgency by the end of the year,” he added.
“We shall do these to protect and sustain our gains of a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) environment in Negros Island. More so, ending insurgency and finishing our mission in Internal Security Operations (ISO) is crucial as we posture ourselves for the Territorial Defense Operations (TDO),” Sison further said.
He also reiterated the 3ID unwavering commitment to achieving total victory over the Communist Terrorist Group in Western and Central Visayas.
To accomplish the mission within the given timeline, Sison ordered the troops to focus their efforts in running after the remnants of the defunct guerilla fronts in Negros and Panay.
He, however, reminded the troops that the 3ID success is founded and built on the professionalism and discipline of every soldier, as manifested in the high approval and trust ratings that the Army in the Visayas received for years in a row.
“We must not destroy this trust. We should not be remiss in our duties to protect the people. As such, I urge you to maintain this high standard of discipline at all times,” Sison said.
No soldier shall engage in any form of gambling and bad vices. We will not tolerate any misbehavior in this regard, he further said. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star)