New army commanders told to finish insurgency in Panay

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 7, 2024): New army commanders told to finish insurgency in Panay (By Perla Lena)

NEW COMMANDER. 3rd Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Marion R. Sison (left) presents the battalion's flag to Lt. Col. Jovert Pimentel during the latter’s installation as new commander of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) in a ceremony held in Camp Col. Quintin D. Salas in Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay town, Iloilo province on Monday (Feb. 5, 2024). Sison has ordered Pimentel and Lt. Col. Vicel Jan Garsuta, new commander of the 12IB who assumed office on Feb. 6, to finish the insurgency problem in Panay. (Photo courtesy of 3DPAO)

ILOILO CITY – Newly installed battalion commanders of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army have received marching orders to finish the insurgency in Panay.

In a press release Wednesday, 3ID commander, Maj. Gen. Marion R. Sison, said he has directed Lt. Col. Jovert Pimentel, new commander of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) who assumed office on Monday, and Lt. Col. Vicel Jan Garsuta, new commander of the 12IB who assumed office on Tuesday, to work closely with local government units (LGUs) and stakeholders to dismantle the remaining guerrilla fronts in Panay Island.

“It is crucial to coordinate, cooperate, and maintain open communication with our partners, as they play a vital role in helping us bring an end to the insurgency in Panay,” Sison said.

Describing Panay as a “sleeping dragon and the remaining bastion of the communist terrorist group,” he said, “It is essential to recognize that the resolution of this problem requires not only military action but also the effective implementation of Task Force ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict) as the best solution."

“Finish the fight! That's my first order. Lick the enemy, totally decimate and eradicate them, in coordination with the LGUs, civil society organizations, the private, religious, and the business sectors, to establish just and lasting peace in Panay,” Sison said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218424