• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said on Wednesday, July 1 that sustaining peace in Negros Island will require addressing long-standing social and economic issues beyond the military’s mandate even as the two provinces have already achieved a stable internal peace and security (SIPS) status.
Speaking at the 40th founding anniversary of the 303rd Infantry Brigade in Murcia, Negros Occidental, Samson said that while government forces have been successful in weakening the communist insurgency, the province’s unique feudal and hacienda system remains a challenge that cannot be solved through military operations alone.
“Negros has a unique situation, which is the feudal and hacienda system. Those are social issues which, I think, cannot be solved by the military alone. As far as addressing the armed struggle, we are very successful,” he said.
Samson supervises three Army infantry brigades in Negros and Panay.
He stressed that the next phase of peacebuilding should focus beyond military solutions through a whole-of-nation approach involving government agencies, the private sector, and local communities.
“Maybe we have to look beyond the problem of insurgency, beyond the military solution. We may have a lot of successes, but as long as there are social issues, the solution is still the whole-of-nation approach – not only by government but in partnership with the private sector and the community as well,” he added.
Samson stressed the need for a continuing monitoring of the support networks that allowed the insurgency to survive for more than five decades, including possible financial, logistical, and manpower assistance coming from other sectors.
“We will try to check the support system, why this insurgency was able to survive for more than 50 years – whether there is support from other sectors. We have to check on that and focus more attention there,” he said.
Since assuming command of the 3rd Infantry Division, Samson said significant gains have been achieved in Panay and Negros.
He noted that Cebu and Bohol are no longer considered major areas of concern although the military continues to closely monitor any attempts by the New People’s Army to recover and rebuild its influence, particularly through support being extended to insurgents in Negros.
Samson said the peace now being enjoyed by Negros was the product of years of sustained collaboration among the military, the Philippine National Police, local government units, national government agencies, and community stakeholders.
As he prepares to retire from military service on July 15 after 39 years in uniform, Samson urged soldiers of the 303rd Infantry Brigade to preserve the gains they have achieved.
“Protect the gains that you worked so hard to achieve, stay close to the people, remain faithful to your mission, and never lose sight of the values that define a Filipino soldier,” he said.
Although he is ending his military career, Samson expressed confidence that the 303rd Infantry Brigade, where he used to serve as deputy and acting commander, will continue its mission with the same courage and professionalism that have marked its first four decades of service. | GPB
