Philippine Army Unit Declares ‘Victory’ Over Insurgency

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID) declared a decisive victory against insurgency in the Visayas, marking the end of decades-long conflict with the New People’s Army (NPA).

Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd ID, described the journey to achieving peace as “same enemies, different battlefield, one ultimate solution.”

Sison, a 38-year military veteran, said the battlefield environment has significantly changed over the past three decades.

“For more than 50 years, the communist terrorist group, particularly the NPA, has challenged the country’s integrity while trying to drag democracy into peril,” he said.

Numerous government campaigns and methodologies were implemented to neutralize insurgent threats. Resources were poured into efforts to end the conflict, but countless lives were lost, and properties were destroyed.

Despite the challenges, Sison declared that the government has made a decisive breakthrough in its fight against insurgency.

“We have achieved significant operational successes, clearing all CTG-affected barangays and dismantling guerrilla fronts in Western and Central Visayas, as well as Negros Island,” he said.

Sison attributed the success to the active participation of stakeholders, calling them the “masterpiece” of their campaign.

“The stakeholders are our magic bean. They have been at the forefront of this campaign, helping us break through the insurgency problem,” he said.

Sison admitted that an all-out military approach alone could not address the root causes of insurgency.

Recognizing this, the Armed Forces of the Philippines implemented the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, a community-focused program addressing insurgency issues through a whole-of-nation approach.

This strategy was further strengthened by Executive Order No. 70, signed on Dec. 4, 2018. The directive institutionalized the whole-of-nation approach, emphasizing the need to address the socio-cultural, political, legal, economic, and historical roots of armed conflict.

EO 70 also created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which harmonized the delivery of basic services and social development packages while ensuring active participation from all sectors of society.

“The active participation of stakeholders made a difference. Now, we are reaping the fruits of our sacrifices and hard work. During our time, individuals and agencies, the decades-long menace has come to an end,” Sison said.

On Monday, Jan. 20, the 3rd ID held its Pasidungog 2025 to formally recognize individuals and organizations who contributed to the campaign against insurgency in Panay Island.

Awardees included members of law enforcement, local government officials, other government agencies, and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

“They stood with us side by side through countless projects and shared the burdens and triumphs of our profession,” Sison said.

He added that Pasidungog 2025 celebrates the victory of regions once scarred by armed conflict, as well as the unwavering support of their stakeholders.