ILOILO City – The 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army aims to declare the entire Panay island as being in a Stable Internal Peace and Security Stage (SIPSS) by the end of September 2024, in alignment with its campaign to achieve an insurgency-free status for the island.
According to Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3ID, the provinces of Antique, Iloilo, and Capiz are currently in the conflict manageable stage (CMS), the final phase before achieving SIPSS status.
This follows the earlier declaration of Negros Occidental as SIPSS in March 2024.
According to Sison, the criteria for SIPSS include the absence of significant conflict or atrocities from the New People’s Army (NPA) and a noticeable reduction in their strength and manpower.
He said only one guerilla front remains active on Panay Island, known as the Central Panay Front, which is considered to be a weakened force.
“We are very close to declaring the whole Panay as SIPSS status, hopefully with God’s grace by the end of September 2024,” Sison said.
A recent encounter in Barangay Aglonok, Calinog, Iloilo, which resulted in the death of five NPA cadres, has further debilitated the group, said Sison.
The NPA is now struggling for food and sleep, he revealed, and urged remaining rebels to choose peace as their organization becomes increasingly irrelevant.
According to Sison, there are only 23 NPA members left under the Central Panay Front. He is confident in achieving SIPSS status by next month, asserting, “We will not stop until these last 23 members are either captured or decide to surrender.”
Supporting this mission are the 12th Infantry Battalion, 61st Infantry Battalion, and 82nd Infantry Brigade, all under Brigadier General Michael Samson, commanding officer of the 301st Infantry Brigade.
Samson echoed Sison’s sentiments, emphasizing the comprehensive support from local sectors and the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to end the insurgency.
Data from the 3ID showed that from 2016 until August 2024, 927 former rebels have availed themselves of various government programs, including the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and Amnesty Program, offering financial and livelihood assistance to reintegrate them into society.
“Kami na mismo ang nanawagan sa kanila na it’s better to give way to peace kasi wala naman silang ibang pupuntahan kundi either ma-capture sila o mamamatay sila,” said Sison.
For his part, Samson said: “The people of Panay natak-an na, gusto na matapos ining insurgency problem.”
Regarding government troops, Sison said: “All in ‘yong tropa natin, nandoon lahat sa bukid. Walang babaan, walang uwian because we have a timeline to accomplish. Twenty-three na lang po naiiwan. Kailangan nating tapusin, of course with that support ng stakeholders.”/PN
