The Philippine Army announced yesterday that Western and Central Visayas are no longer under the influence of communist terrorist groups (CTGs), marking a significant milestone in regional security.

Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), confirmed the dismantling of the Central and Southern Front in Panay Island.

Preparations are underway to declare the island under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status.

“We do not have any CTG-influenced or affected areas,” he said in a statement.

He also noted the absence of reported extortion activities, such as “permit to campaign” or “permit to win,” as the election period begins.

Sison cautioned politicians against collaborating with CTGs, warning that any association would tarnish their reputations and political careers.

“Any support or involvement with CTGs will ultimately lead to your downfall. Giving in to their demands is a kiss of death,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a press conference on Sunday, January 12, the commander of the Philippine Army’s 301st Brigade, Brigadier General Michael Samson, said there are no more CTG threats in the municipality of Calinog, which was under the red category in the areas of concern released last week by the Commission on Elections.

“As of today, the threat level should not be red because that series of encounters [in August last year] resulted in the neutralization and the dismantling of the Central Front. Maybe we can downgrade that from red to yellow if the basis is the communist terrorist group or the New People’s Army. Again, the series of encounters that happened last August resulted in the neutralization and dismantling of the Central Front,” he said. (PNA)