BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has assured 3rd Infantry Division of its needed resources in the campaign against insurgency in Western and Central Visayas.
The assurance was made by Brawner during his visit on February 25 to the 3ID headquarters at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, where he was warmly welcomed by Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo and staff.
Brawner disclosed that 3ID is among the Army units that has accomplished so much for the past year.
In Negros Island alone, two guerilla fronts of the Komiteng Rehiyonal- Negros/ Cebu/Siquijor, including Northern Negros Front and South East Front, were reported by the 3ID to have been dismantled, aside from the neutralization of some of its key leaders who died in gun battles, the capture of some, and the surrender of their members.
“Us in the Headquarters Philippine Army will assure this Command that we will push all the needed resources to aide you in our campaign against insurgency in your AOR,” Brawner said.
Arevalo yesterday said the support of the Philippine Army headquarters, in terms of personnel and logistics such as ammunition and fuel, is a boost to their campaign against NPA remnants in Regions 6 and 7.
He added that they were also assured of support on the repair of damages brought about last year by typhoon Odette.
In Panay island, the Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade reported that 1,531 NPA members and supporters surrendered last year.
Of the number, 44 of them are regular NPA members, 159 Militia ng Bayan, 143 of them are members of Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, and 1,185 Underground Mass Organization.
They are also surrendered 120 assorted firearms.
Arevalo said that the influx of surrenders will not be possible without the intensified convergence of efforts from the various government agencies, in accordance with the whole-of-government approach.
This only proves how effective our collective effort in fighting the insurgency not only in this island, but also in the entire country, he added.*
