• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
JAMINDAN, Capiz – Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete directed Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, the new commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), to sustain the gains achieved under his predecessor in accelerating its transition from internal security operations to territorial defense.
Speaking during the change of command ceremony on Wednesday, July 15, Nafarrete said the leadership transition comes at a critical time as the Philippine Army intensifies its combat readiness amid evolving security challenges.
“Its strategic importance lies in sustaining the gains of your predecessor. It is critical in our transition as we intensify combat readiness and veer our focus from internal security operations to external security operations,” Nafarrete said.
The Army chief emphasized that the service is pursuing a strategic transformation aimed at building “a modern, agile, competent, multi-threat, and multi-domain Army force.”
He cited the successful conduct of the Inter-Agency Territorial Defense Operations Exercise or “Pag-ugyon 2026” in the 3ID area of responsibility as a milestone in this transformation.
Iloilo recently hosted the first large-scale civilian-military territorial defense exercise of its kind in the Visayas, bringing together the military, government agencies, and local government units.
Nafarrete said the exercise was well received by local officials, particularly Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., who commended then 3ID commander Maj. Gen. Michael Samson for spearheading the initiative.
“The first territorial defense exercise was done in the 3ID area of operations. This was really accepted by the local government units. Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. also congratulated Gen. Samson for it,” Nafarrete said.
The Army chief also lauded Samson for the extensive transformation implemented during his stint as division commander, including improvements to the division headquarters through the construction of road networks, buildings, and other infrastructure.
Describing 3ID as “a very, very challenging division,” Nafarrete noted that it oversees Panay, Negros, Cebu, and Bohol, making it one of the Army’s most strategically important commands.
Under Samson’s leadership, Panay was declared insurgency-free, allowing the remaining communist insurgents in Negros to become the focus of intensified military operations.
Nafarrete paid tribute to Samson’s nearly four decades of military service, describing him as “one of the finest leaders the Philippine Army has been able to produce.”
“We honor the invaluable service, legacy, and contribution of Gen. Samson. You have done so much in the service of the country,” Nafarrete said.
For his part, Samson reflected on his 39 years in uniform, saying it was now “payback time to our families,” acknowledging the sacrifices made by military families throughout his career. | GPB
