The newly-installed acting commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army said they are ensuring that their troops are trained to perform multiple roles to secure the mid-term elections and provide humanitarian assistance amid the threat of a Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, 3ID acting commander, said that while the Army is dealing with the remnants of the New People’s Army in the Visayas, they must also be ready for the midterm elections.
“As we deal with the NPA remnants, we shall also prepare for the security of the upcoming midterm election under the guidance of the COMELEC”, he said, to ensure peaceful and credible polls in May.
Their troops must also be ready for humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the face of the unrest at Kanlaon Volcano, he added.
Samson, who replaced Maj. Gen. Marion Sison who is retiring, also said he is confident that it is just a matter of time for the Communist rebels’ existence to come to an end.
“As we slowly refocus our mindset in transitioning from stability operations to territorial defense operations, we will ensure that our troops will be trained and equipped, and to be multi-capable and ready to perform multi-roles, across various domains and challenges”, he said.*