• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Army Col. Michael Samson, outgoing 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, has been designated by Army Chief Lt. Gen. Felix Brawner Jr. as the acting commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade.
This was revealed yesterday by Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commanding general of the AFP Visayas Command and concurrent head of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, after he installed Col. Orlando Edralin as the new commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade.
Arevalo said he personally requested the designation of Samson as acting commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade stationed in Panay, replacing Brig. Gen. Marion Sison, who was recently designated as assistant division commander of 3ID.
Arevalo however said that the designation of Samson as 301st Infantry Brigade commander in a permanent capacity will have to pass through with the Board of Generals and Department of National Defense, as well as Malacañang, for approval.
Edralin served as deputy commander of 301st Infantry Brigade for four years, while Samson had been the deputy commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade for more than three years.
Both are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991, which also includes Sison and Brig. Gen. Leonardo Pena, the commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade stationed in Negros Oriental.
Samson also served as acting commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade twice, prior to his transfer to Panay island.
Arevalo said the change of 301st Infantry Brigade leadership between Sison and Samson may take place within three to five days.
There are three infantry battalions 12th, 61st and 92nd under the supervision of 301st Infantry Brigade in Panay island.
Samson was conferred yesterday with 3ID command plaque, in recognition of the accomplishments of 303rd Infantry Brigade, in his short stint as the acting commander.
Under his leadership, three leaders of the NPA in northern Negros, who are facing numerous cases had been arrested, while two others died, in Army-initiated encounters that also led to the recovery of 10 high powered firearms.
As to the relinquishment of 3ID command to his successor, Arevalo said he asked to the AFP to hold it in abeyance, until the turnover of 301st Infantry Brigade command.
But Arevalo said he is ready to relinquish the 3ID command within the middle of February, so that he can concentrate his new position as AFP Visayas Command chief.*
