ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) has a new commander.
Brigadier General Marion Sison formally assumed his new post during a turnover of command ceremony in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz yesterday.
Sison replaced Lieutenant General Benedict Arevalo who will be moving up for a higher post as commander of the Visayas Command based in Cebu City covering regions 6, 7 and 8.
Arevalo said he is not leaving the 3ID, instead his area of operations will only be expanded to two more regions.
He then urged Sison to continue fighting insurgency.
“The 3ID is still loved by the people but feared by the enemies. In my one year and a half of staying here, we recorded 75 encounters and were government-initiated. That means we were always the first to engage them before our enemies attack. We will continue the fight with the new 3ID commander,” Arevalo said.
Sison, meanwhile, said he will continue what Arevalo had started – fight insurgency – but he will still give them the chance to surrender.
“I will be offering my hands for a peaceful negotiations through local engagement. We will ensure their security and safety and we have to assist them through the programs of the government,” Sison said.
He added his new assignment is a big challenge but he is thankful for the trust given to him by the national office and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Maaasahan niyo na gagampanan ko ang matagal na layunin ng ating hukbong sundalo ng Pilipinas na itaguyod ang kapayapaan. Trusting me in putting on this assignment will serve as my inspiration to strive harder,” he said./PN
