MAJOR General Marion R. Sison, Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division and Joint Task Force Spear, showcased the accomplishments of Joint Task Force Spear (JTF Spear) during the 4th Quarter Campaign Progress Review and Assessment (CPRA) for Calendar Year (CY) 2024.
The event, held on December 17, 2024, at the Sandiwa Event Center, highlighted the Division’s significant feats in its journey towards a peaceful and progressive Western and Central Visayas.
The CPRA brought together brigade and battalion commanders and officers from various JTF Spear units. The conference provided a platform to review successes, address challenges, and strategize for future operations, including discussions that focused on achievements from October to December 2024.
In 2024, JTF Spear achieved operational success in 63 encounters, including 11 major engagements and 48 minor results. These encounters resulted in the neutralization of 116 Communist NPA terrorists (CNTs), including several top leaders and high-value individuals. Of the neutralized CNTs, 47 were killed, while 69 surrendered, apprehended, or captured. Additionally, 145 high- and low-powered firearms were seized.
JTF Spear’s operations also significantly weakened the terrorist organization in two regions by dismantling three guerrilla fronts (GFs), two sub-regional committees, and two vertical units. Furthermore, efforts to disrupt the CTG’s urban support network yielded substantial results: 26 Communist-Affiliated Mass Organizations (CAMOs) were redirected, four Sectoral Front Organizations (SFOs) were delisted, and one SFO was rendered ineffective.
Furthermore, 3ID’s counter-insurgency efforts led to the declaration of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Antique as Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPs) areas. These accomplishments earned 3ID the Gawad Parangal Plaque from the NTIF-ELCAC.
During the CPRA, the Division also awarded the 47th Infantry (Katapatan) Battalion with a Command Plaque for a November 21, 2024 engagement in Brgy. Gatuslao, Candoni, Negros Occidental, where they neutralized seven NPA remnants and seized 13 firearms. The award was presented by MGen. Sison, along with 301st Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Michael Samson and Assistant Division Commander for Administration Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon.
In his closing remarks, MGen. Sison emphasized the importance of recognizing the year’s victories and reflecting on the team’s hard work and innovative strategies. He also looked ahead to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ campaign to end Internal Security Operations, expressing confidence in JTF Spear’s continued success.
“We have to prepare for the campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to end Internal Security Operations. We have accomplished our mission, and of course, without you—without the Team Spearhead—we couldn’t achieve our victory. I congratulate every member of the Joint Task Force Spear for an excellent accomplishment in the year 2024,”said MGen. Sison.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division of the Philippine Army Facebook Page.
