Army’s 301st Brigade Pushes Soft Approach vs. Insurgency

By Jennifer P. Rendon

More than 40 years into the fight against insurgency, the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade believes the New People’s Army (NPA) in Panay Island is nearing its end.

During its 42nd anniversary celebration, the 301st Brigade once again extended its hand of reconciliation to the remaining NPA members.

“We don’t want any bloodshed. We want to tackle this war through the soft-hand approach,” said Colonel Nhel Richard Patricio, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade.

Patricio said they continue to reach out to NPA combatants and their supporters through local peace engagements (LPEs).

“Bloodshed is not our priority. We try to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. Pareho man lang ta nga mga Filipino,” he said.

The 301st Brigade has left its doors open to encourage rebels to join their peace initiatives.

“Again, I ask them to give peace a chance,” Patricio added.

Meanwhile, he described last year’s counter-insurgency campaign as a significant milestone.

“For years, there were four guerrilla fronts. That number was reduced to two, and last year, the past leadership of the 301st Brigade dismantled the remaining two,” he said.

With that achievement, Patricio is now focused on dealing with NPA remnants.

Currently, the NPA’s armed force in Panay Island consists of only 25 fighters with fewer than 40 firearms.

Since all top leaders of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay have been neutralized, the group is now led by a cadre identified as alias Ted.

However, Patricio said the group is still considered “leaderless” and has gradually lost the will to fight.