Army's 3ID to relentlessly pursue NPA remnants in Negros

COLLABORATION. Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria (2nd from right) is flanked by Army officials (from left) Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, and Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas during the change of command rites of the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental on Wednesday (Aug. 27, 2025). Samson said the Army would relentlessly pursue the remnants of the New People's Army in Negros Island until the insurgency is eradicated. (PNA photo by Mary Judaline Flores Partlow)

DUMAGUETE CITY – The commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army has warned of a stringent crackdown against the remnants of the communist New People's Army (NPA) in Negros Island in the pursuit of peace.

Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, in an interview late Wednesday afternoon, said that while there are no longer active NPA guerrilla fronts in Negros, the remnants are still trying to survive and fight the government.

Samson said they are relentlessly putting pressure on the NPA remnants to push them to return to the fold of the law.

"We are making their lives miserable in the mountains to make them realize that fighting the government with arms is futile and useless," he said.

Samson said they do not want to see more clashes occur between government troops and the NPA rebels and to avoid casualties "because we are fellow Filipinos."

He, however, warned that they are ready to respond anytime if the NPA remnants persist in their armed struggle against the government.

The 3ID covers Western and Central Visayas and the Negros Island regions.

Meanwhile, Samson said there would be no immediate pullout of troops from areas cleared of the insurgency, even as the military is transitioning to providing external security.

The military will only totally pull out from an area when the Philippine National Police is ready to take over the role in internal security, he added.

Samson presided over the change of command of the 302nd Infantry Brigade in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental from outgoing commander Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas to Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan. (PNA)

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