THE 301st Infantry (Bayanihan) Brigade of the Philippine Army installed its new commanding officer during a turnover ceremony held at 10 a.m. on January 27, 2025, at Camp General Adriano Hernandez in Dingle, Iloilo.
Colonel Nhel Richard Patricio, an Ilonggo and a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Sambisig" Class of 1991, officially assumed command of the brigade, succeeding Brigadier General Michael Samson.
Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, presided over the event.
The leadership transition aims to sustain the brigade’s mission of maintaining peace and bolstering territorial defense across Panay and Guimaras Islands.
In his speech, Patricio emphasized the need to address the remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in Panay.
He stated, “The main task at hand is the blessing of the few remaining followers of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). These remnants are dislocated, disintegrated, and isolated in limited areas in Panay... The challenge is to engage with them, win them back, and give them a chance.”
Patricio warned that the group’s remnants would face the same fate as their predecessors if they refuse to embrace peace.
“From remnants to residues in due time,” he said.
The new commander also commended the three operationally controlled infantry battalions of the brigade: the 61st Infantry Battalion (Hunter) in Miagao, Iloilo, led by Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Balgos Jr.; the 12th Infantry Battalion (Lick ’Em) in Calinog, Iloilo, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Vicel Jan Garsuta; and the 82nd Infantry Battalion (Bantay Laya) in Janiuay, Iloilo, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Jovert Pimentel.
Patricio, an alumnus of Central Philippine University (CPU) in Iloilo City, acknowledged their contributions to the brigade's success and described the soldiers as family members whose dedication he deeply values.
Outgoing commander Samson highlighted his significant accomplishments during his tenure, including the neutralization of key CPP-NPA-NDF leaders in Panay, such as Vicente Hinojales, regional secretary of Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P); Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala, alias “Ka Concha,” the group’s first deputy secretary and a peace negotiator in Norway; and Vivian Torato Teodosio, alias “Muray” or “Minerva,” secretary of KR-P's central front.
These operations led to the dismantling of several guerrilla fronts, including the Southern Panay Front, Central Front, and Regional Sentro de Grabidad.
Samson is expected to take over as the 3ID leader, as Sison is set to retire from the military on February 1. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)