Army boosts anti-insurgency operations in Negros Island

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Major General Dinoh Dolina, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) in Western Visayas, ordered the adjustment of areas of operations in Negros Island effective July 1.

The new jurisdiction of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) will now cover the first to fifth districts of Negros Occidental and first district of Negros Oriental, while the 302nd IBde takes over the responsibility of the sixth district of Negros Occidental, second and third districts of Negros Oriental.

This realignment of forces and operational boundaries of the two Army brigades was announced by Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd IBde, during his visit at the 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) headquarters in Barangay Tililing, Cauayan town on June 30, 2019.

Relative to the change in operational boundaries, the 303rd IBde ceased the operational control over the 15th IB, covering the sixth district of Negros Occidental. Its control will be handed over to the 302nd IBde, Arevalo said.

Likewise, the 302nd IBde turned over the operational control of the 94th IB to 303rd IBde, he added.

The 94th IB is a battalion which adjusts its area of operations from the whole of Negros Oriental to only the first district of the said province, Arevalo said.

“This realignment is based on the geographical and threat considerations more than the political boundaries and will further improve the operational effectiveness of the brigades,” Arevalo said.

With the realignment of forces, the 303rd IBde takes operational control over 62nd IB and 79th IB in Negros Occidental, and 94th IB in Negros Oriental, while the 302nd IBde controls the 47th IB based in Bohol, 15th IB based in Negros Occidental, and the 11th IB which recently returned in Negros Oriental from Zamboanga City.

Meanwhile, Arevalo awarded the 15th IB with a Plaque of Appreciation in recognition of their outstanding service to the 303rd IBde.

The plaque was given to Lieutenant Colonel Patricio Tomales, commander of 15th IB.

“The 15th IB was able to perform well during my time as their brigade commander, and with that I commend and thank 15th IB for their dedication and support to the 303rd IBde. Regardless of the realignment of forces and operational boundaries, the two brigades will sustain the gains in Negros island in its campaign against the terrorist Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF),” Arevalo said.