BACOLOD CITY -- The Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Occidental has a new commander.
He is Col. Michael Samson who assumed in acting capacity the post vacated by Brig. General Inocencio Pasaporte who officially retired from military service on Wednesday, Dec. 28.
The PA’s 3rd Infantry Division installed Col. Samson on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
Col. Samson had been deputy brigade commander since 2019.
Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3ID and concurrently the acting chief of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Visayas command, presided over the turnover of command held at the 303rd IBde headquarters in Murcia town.
In his message, Col. Samson vowed to continue pursuing the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, through relentless and intensified focused military operations.
He warned the remaining NPA rebels that they will make their life ‘miserable’ through focused military operations should they continue their armed struggle.
In line with President Marcos Jr’s call for unity, Col. Samson said he is offering peace and reconciliation to the NPA rebels in Negros.
Arevalo, in a media interview, said he ordered the new brigade commander to continue the current mission of the Philippine Army.
Arevalo said that guerilla fronts of the NPA continue to weaken as he lauded Pasaporte for his accomplishments on the anti-insurgency campaign in Negros island.
Some NPA’s high-ranking officials were neutralized under the leadership of Pasaporte, including the death of Romeo Nanta alias ‘Juanito Magbanua,’ commander of the Regional Operational Command of the Komiteng Rehiyon–Negros and the spokesperson of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command (AGC); and National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant Ericson Legazpi Acosta, husband of Kerima Tariman, also an alleged NPA leader.
On Dec. 7, Pasaporte was awarded with a command plaque during the testimonial parade at the 3ID headquarters in Jamindan, Capiz. He was the 27th commander of the 303rd IBde.
Meanwhile, Arevalo reminded the troopers not to be complacent, and continue their offensive and aggressive operations against the NPA rebels.
He also noted the importance of gaining support from the public. “We are assured of winning if we have the support of the public,” he said.