By Jennifer P. Rendon
As the government’s campaign against insurgency is gaining headway, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division is confident that it will not be long before the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in the Visayas would be reduced to a negligible level.
During the division’s 47th founding anniversary celebration on May 1, 2021, 3rd ID commander Major General Eric Vinoya declared that the past year had been a productive one in their campaign against insurgency.
He then challenged 3rd ID personnel to do their part, give their best shot, and finish the task at hand since the “finish line is already in sight.”
“We will never be out of the fight no matter what, and we will always gloriously declare the spearhead ethos of ‘never saying die’ and ‘staying alive’ until we finish the fight,” he said.
Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vinoya said they have prevailed in their duty of serving the people and securing the communities from all forms of threats.
In the past year, the 3rd ID reported that it has cleared 84 communities from communist terrorist group influence “that will further lead to the complete resolution of socio-economic issues and sustained developmental projects in these areas in order to uplift the living condition of our people.”
“We were able to weaken two guerilla fronts, we dismantled 2 guerilla fronts, and one soon to be validated as weakened. We were able to induce numerous surrenders from both guerilla members and supporters of the CPP-NPA; and we have had major engagements with CPP-NPA terrorists in our area of responsibility through our operationally controlled units, that resulted to heavy casualties among the ranks of the terrorist group,” Vinoya said.
He added that the last also saw the capture of numerous firearms, as well as the arrest of CPP-NPA personalities during the conduct of focused military operation.
They were also able to apprehend CPP-NPA personalities holding critical positions in their organization for their crimes against the people through the conduct of joint law enforcement operations, with their PNP counterparts.
This year’s 3rd anniversary celebration was themed “3ID @ 47: Committed to Serve and Secure the People of Western and Central Visayas Amidst Challenges.”
Lt. Gen. Jose C Faustino Jr., Philippine Army commander, and Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, AFP Central Command chief, graced the celebration.
General Cirilito Sobejana, AFP Chief of Staff, joined the celebration via video teleconference.
He congratulated every Spearhead trooper in 47 years of faithful service as a resolute and unwavering guardian of Western and Central Visayas.
“As your unit marks the 47th year of bringing peace and stability in Western and Central Visayas your anniversary theme is truly a testament of your commitment to service and undoubtedly inspired the men and women of the 3rd Infantry Spearhead Division in fulfilling your mandated mission,” Sobejana said.
AWARDEES
The awarding of performing and deserving line units and personnel was one of the highlights of the celebration.
The Best Infantry Battalion calendar year 2021 was bestowed to 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) while 1Lt Joshua Lodriguito of 62IB was recognized as Best Officer of the year.
1Lt Crisanto Evan Canua of 11th Infantry Battalion was named Best Company Commander of the Year and 1Lt Karl Maveric Peniero of 61IB was hailed as Best Platoon Leader of the Year.
Sergeant Philip Marciales of 62IB was this year’s Best Platoon Sergeant; Sergeant Chris Gevero of 11IB received the award of Best Squad Leader of the Year; Master Sergeant Fidel Delara of 62IB was the Best Non-Commissioned Officer for Administration of the Year; MS Valerie Galon of OG7 was named as Best Civilian Human Resource of the Year, and CAA Hilmer T Carato as best CAFGU Active Auxiliary of the Year.
The Army Governance Pathway Proficiency Status was also conferred to 62IB during the awarding rites.
Command Plaques were also given to partner stakeholders in recognition of their invaluable support extended to 3ID that immensely contributed in the attainment of the Division’s missions
The recipients included Iloilo 5th district Rep. Raul C. Tupas, Office of Civil Defense 6 (OCD-6) regional director Jose Roberto Nuñez, Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD-6) regional director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, and Assistant Regional State Prosecutor Flosemer Chris I. Gonzales
Other awardees are Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson of Negros Occidental; Governor Arthur C. Yap of Bohol; Nestor R. Villaflores, Provincial Agriculturist, Negros Oriental; Mayor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental; Mayor Mac Artur Valdemar of Jamindan, Capiz; Barangay Captain Henry Vili of Jaena Norte, Jamindan, Capiz; Dr. Mary Anne Sarrosa of Iloilo City, and Bryan T. Morden, Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod anchorman.
