ILOILO City — Newly installed Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander Brigadier General Joey Escanillas vowed to intensify operations against remnants of communist armed groups in Panay Island and the Negros Island Region (NIR), stressing that the military will not lower its guard despite both island groups having been declared free of active guerrilla fronts.
Assuming command from retiring Major General Michael Samson, Escanillas said the Army’s immediate priority is to ensure that no insurgent remnants regain a foothold before the 3ID fully transitions to its broader territorial defense mission.
“Rest assured nga kung ano ang nagawa ni General Samson, these will be continued. We will remain steadfast in our mission to bring peace to our people and the community,” Escanillas said.
Although the Armed Forces of the Philippines has declared Panay and the NIR free from active guerrilla fronts following years of sustained counterinsurgency operations, Escanillas said isolated remnants of communist armed groups remain a concern.
“Of course, may mga remnants pa tayo na naiwan sa mga areas diri sa Panay and Negros. ‘Yan ang medyo uunahin natin,” he said.
Escanillas explained that neutralizing these remaining threats is essential before the Army can fully focus on territorial defense.
“Little by little, pag na-achieve natin ‘yan, we will transition to our territorial defense. But habang ginagawa natin iyon, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang ating humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. We are always on call in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense, local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and other government agencies,” he added.
The new 3ID commander said the division will continue assessment and monitoring operations in former insurgency-affected communities to ensure rebel groups do not regain influence.
Escanillas also emphasized the need for stronger collaboration with local government units, law enforcement agencies and national government offices, saying peace and security require a whole-of-government approach.
“Expect more collaboration. Expect more proactive efforts in preventing our adversaries from conducting atrocities. We will do that in collaboration with our LGUs and national agencies because peace and security is a shared responsibility,” he said.
He added that sustained coordination with local stakeholders would help protect government development gains in communities that have already been cleared of insurgency.
Escanillas succeeds Samson, whose tenure was marked by major counterinsurgency victories that dismantled the remaining communist guerrilla fronts in Panay and Negros./PN
