• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Unidentified armed men reportedly set heavy equipment on fire on February 8 in Sitio Manghuya, Barangay Aya, in La Libertad, Negros Oriental.
Burned were two backhoes, a loader, and a dump truck. The estimated damage of the torched heavy equipment has not yet been determined as of press time.
Col. J-Jay Javines, 3rd Infantry Division Civil Military Operations chief, said they are still investigating the arson incident.
The Philippine Army in Negros Oriental has assured it will still provide security during the May 12 polls, even as it slowly transitions from internal security to external defense.
Col. Leroy Daanton, deputy commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, made the commitment on Friday afternoon during a Peace Covenant signing and Interfaith Prayer Rally initiated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Both Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental have been placed in a status of Stable Internal Peace and Security by the 3rd Infantry Division, as concurred by their respective Provincial Peace and Order Councils.
Daanton assured the public that despite the transition, Army units are still actively taking part in securing their areas of coverage against any kind of threat that would mar the elections.
During the Provincial Joint Security Control Center meeting on Feb. 8, Daanton said all guerilla fronts of the New People’s Army in Negros have already been dismantled, with the active remnants under close monitoring.* with PNA reports
