SAMSON
ILOILO CITY — The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) of Western Visayas and the provincial government of Iloilo commended the service of Major Gen. Michael G. Samson, outgoing commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID).
Iloilo Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. led the recognition of Samson as chairman of the RPOC and the Iloilo Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) on Monday, July 13.
The Iloilo Provincial Board also recognized the service of Samson, who is set to retire from military service on July 15.
Samson was also honored when he was commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade which serves Panay Island.
It was under Samson’s watch as then 301st IB commander that majority of the New People’s Army (NPA) was dismantled from 2024 to 2025.
"This recognition belongs not to me alone, but to every soldier who served with honor, every public servant who chose cooperation over division, and every Ilonggo who believed that peace is the foundation of progress," said Samson.
Also present during Samson’s recognition were Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and Iloilo Provincial Board Member Rolando Distura.