Sison Retires; Leaves Central, Western Visayas Safer

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Major General Marion Sison bid farewell to military service after more than 37 years, concluding his tenure as commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID).

During his leadership, Sison made a significant impact on the peace and order situation, particularly in the anti-insurgency campaign in Central and Western Visayas.

Under his command, the 3rd ID conducted 155 focused military operations.

These operations resulted in the deaths of 94 communist terrorist group (CTG) members and the capture or surrender of 235 others.

Security forces also seized a substantial number of weapons and other armaments.

Beyond neutralizing New People’s Army (NPA) members, the division dismantled five guerrilla fronts, two vertical units, and two sub-regional party committees.

Under Sison’s leadership, the 3rd ID earned 25 CGPA Streamer Awards, including four Bayanihan Streamers, 19 Major Engagements Streamers, and two Significant Accomplishments Streamers.

Through these efforts, the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Antique were declared Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) areas, along with the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.

This achievement helped the 3rd ID earn the prestigious Gawad Parangal Plaque from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

The awards recognized the division’s operational excellence and its contribution to long-term peace and security.

For Sison, retiring after more than three decades as a soldier was bittersweet.

“I will be leaving a career that I love, but it will also give me a chance to spend time with my family,” he said.

Sison officially turned over leadership of the 3rd ID to Brigadier General Michael Samson, his Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1991 classmate.

An Ilonggo, Samson recently stepped down as commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, based in Camp Hernandez in Dingle, Iloilo.