Aggressive Counterinsurgency Operations Weaken Rebels, Army Unit Claims

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3rd ID) reported significant progress in the government’s anti-insurgency campaign in 2024.

Major General Marion Sison, 3rd ID spokesperson, said the division gained ground in its Focused Military Operations (FMOs) despite numerous challenges.

Sison noted the counterinsurgency efforts weakened the New People’s Army (NPA), dismantling three guerrilla fronts and disrupting urban support networks. The division also redirected 26 Communist-Affiliated Mass Organizations and neutralized one Sectoral Front Organization.

As a result, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Antique were declared Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) areas.

The 3rd ID recorded 63 engagements in 2024, including 11 major and 48 minor encounters, leading to the neutralization of 116 NPA rebels. Among them, 47 were killed, including several high-ranking leaders, while 69 either surrendered or were captured.

The division also seized 145 firearms during its operations.

In 2025, the 3rd ID pledged to sustain its peace and development efforts in Western and Central Visayas.

Sison attributed the 2024 success to the support of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), stakeholders, and the Visayan community.

“Let’s embrace 2025 as a year to build on our successes and complete our work toward a peaceful and progressive Western and Central Visayas,” Sison said.

He emphasized that unity was the key to achieving success in 2024 and expressed confidence in further accomplishments this year.

Sison called on stakeholders and the Visayan community to continue supporting the 3rd ID in 2025.

“All our accomplishments last year were possible through our collective efforts,” he said. “We worked tirelessly to achieve these milestones, and we need your continued support and cooperation to sustain our progress.”