ILOILO City – The 301st Infantry Brigade (301IB) of the Philippine Army has adopted a “soft hand” strategy in its ongoing efforts to convince remaining insurgents to surrender and participate in government reintegration programs.
Colonel Nhel Richard Patricio of the 301IB said the military is actively pursuing insurgents still hiding in the mountains and refusing to surrender.
He emphasized that the approach focuses on avoiding casualties, with the army working closely with the families and relatives of the rebels to help persuade them to lay down their arms.
“We are coordinating with the families to help us convince them to surrender. As much as possible, we don’t want to cause any deaths, which is why we are using the soft hand approach,” Patricio explained.
According to Patricio, approximately 25 insurgents remain in the mountains, many of whom are reportedly suffering from hunger. He noted that there have been signs of surrender from some of the remaining rebels.
“We are waiting for them to surrender. If they are serious, we are willing to assist them,” Patricio added.
Brigadier General Michael Samson, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), reiterated the Army’s commitment to neutralizing the remaining insurgents, emphasizing that military operations are focused on pressuring rebels to return to society, rather than taking lives.
“Our primary goal is to make it impossible for the insurgents to continue their armed struggle. I am confident that it is only a matter of time before their presence is fully eradicated,” Samson said./PN
