The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) remained firm in its goal to end the local communist armed conflict in Negros Island after receiving recognition from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for its successful peace campaign in its area of operations.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, said on Tuesday, January 16, that the campaign streamer award given to its units, 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) and 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), is a “solid testament to our unwavering efforts to achieve peace and prosperity in the island,” highlighted by the dismantling of all five New People’s Army (NPA) guerilla fronts in Negros as of the end of 2023.
“This recognition is a source of our endless commitment and dedication to liberate Negrenses from the shackles of insurgency,” he said.
AFP commander-in-chief, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., presented the awards to Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of the 303IBde, and Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, commanding officer of 94IB, during the AFP Year-End 2023 Command Conference held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday.
The units were awarded, specifically for dismantling guerrilla fronts, and significantly contributing to the AFP’s overall victory against communist terrorist groups.
In Negros, the 303IBde and the 94IB dismantled the Central Negros 2 of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor on December 21, following the dismantling of the first three, including the South East Front, Northern Negros Front and Central Negros 1.
The remaining South West Front, already considered “weakened,” has also been recommended by the 3ID for a formal declaration of being dismantled by the AFP Visayas Command and the Joint Peace Security and Coordinating Committee.
Edralin, whose unit is based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, thanked the AFP leadership for recognizing the relentless efforts of the troops in Negros in ending the decades-long insurgency.
“This award is also a triumph for all Negrenses who have been our partners in all our endeavors. It is also a testament to our genuine commitment to end the local communist armed conflict. We will continue our efforts until Negros Island is declared insurgency-free,” he added.*PNA