The journey of government forces and the people of Western and Central Visayas towards achieving “Total Victory” against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) is imminent, as it gets clearer every day.
This collective triumph against the CTG in the Visayas Region is coming sooner than expected after the last remaining guerilla front in Negros was declared as dismantled. With this recent development, Negros Island is now being recommended and gearing up to be declared as “Stable Internal Peace and Security” or SIPS.
In fact, the Negros Occidental Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee (JPSCC), comprising the 302ND and 303RD Infantry Brigades, Negros Occidental PNP and the Philippine Coast Guard, had already approved and signed a Joint Resolution recommending the declaration of the province of Negros Occidental in a state of “SIPS” on March 1, 2024.
Meanwhile, the CTG’s recovery effort also failed to regain influence in the province of Bohol after the group led by Domingo Compoc, alias Silong, along with four (4) others, including a neophyte lawyer, were neutralized by the combined elements of the Army and the PNP in Brgy Campagao, Bilar on 23 February 2024.
The inevitable downfall of the CTG is also evident in Panay Island, as its remaining “weakened” Central and Southern Panay Fronts recently suffered successive losses and major setbacks signifying that a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security for the people of Panay is at hand.
For the period, the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, through its three Infantry Brigades (301st, 302nd, and 303rd), delivered a significant blow against the CTG in Visayas with 20 government-initiated encounters resulting in two major and one decisive engagements and neutralization of 16 NPAs, surrender of nine others, one captured and seizure of 31 high-powered and 16 short firearms.
These accomplishments represent not only the success of government forces but also a victory for the people. These are not mere words meant for boasting, as claimed by the CTG but tangible achievements supported by facts and figures. The truth may be harsh, making it understandable for them not to accept this painful defeat.
“We will not be swayed by their fabricated stories. Instead, we will relentlessly pursue our shared goal of establishing Stable Internal Peace and Security for all Visayans. We anticipate achieving this target sooner than expected, given the support and trust the people have placed in the security forces. This is evident in the influx of quality and reliable information received, leading to encounters with significant results favorable to us,” said 3ID Commander Major General Marion R Sison.
Recently, General Romeo Brawner Jr PA, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, visited Visayas Command and the 301ST Infantry Brigade. During his visit, he directed the Commanders to end the threat of insurgency.
“We are very hopeful and optimistic that by the end of the year 2024, we can really achieve “Total Victory” and we can defeat the communists,” said General Brawner.
On his part, MGen Marion R Sison PA, the 3ID Commander, slammed the CTG in the Visayas, as well as its affiliated organizations, for concocting stories to accuse and malign the security forces in order to gain sympathy of the people and win back dwindling popular support. This black propaganda, however, is nothing new. This is done on purpose to keep alive the dying spirit of the remaining members of the CTG in order to prevent them from abandoning their futile and senseless revolutionary cause.
“This accusation and allegation of violations of Human Rights and disproportionate use of military power are mere desperate propaganda and disinformation campaign thrown at us by the remnants of CTG. They are designed to twist public perception on the success of military and police operations in order to discredit our security forces. We are not new to the deceptive propaganda of the CTG and its allies. They are known for peddling false information, especially when they are in a disadvantageous situation to conceal their defeat and looming end.
As protectors of peace and the communities, our government forces maintain a high level of professionalism and consistently obeserve, uphold and protect human rights, the International Humanitarian and the Rule of Law in all of our endeavors and operations, at all times,” MGen Sison added.
Moreover, the 3ID Commander attributed the improving peace and security landscape and success of the government’s campaign aganist terrorisim in Visayas Region to EO70 or the Whole-of-Nation Approach in Ending the Local Communist Armed Conflict and the continued implementation of Localized Peace Engagements (LPEs) and Support to Barangay Development Programs (SBDPs). This mechanism is implemented in full force and proven effective in liberating conflict-ridden areas from the shackles of insurgency and converting them into more conflict-resilient communities.
“We are winning, and we are committed to sustaining our gains at all costs. With the people on our side, we will undoubtedly achieve “Total Victory” against the CTG. And all together, we will reap the rewarding benefits of a region with a Stable Internal Peace and Security,” MGen. Sison ended.
