• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division slammed remnants of the New People’s Army and its affiliated organizations, for concocting stories to accuse and malign the security forces, in order to gain sympathy of the people and win back dwindling popular support.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, said the black propaganda was done on purpose, to keep alive the dying spirit of the remaining NPA members.
Sison said the accusation of alleged human rights violations and the disproportionate use of military power are a desperate propaganda and disinformation campaign thrown at them by the rebel remnants.
They are designed to twist public perception on the success of military and police operations in order to discredit our security forces, he said.
Sison said the NPA and its allies are known for peddling false information, especially when they are in a disadvantageous situation, to conceal their defeat and looming end.
“As protectors of peace and the communities, our government forces maintain a high level of professionalism and consistently observe, uphold and protect human rights, the International Humanitarian and the Rule of Law in all of our endeavors and operations, at all times,” he stressed.
Sison also attributed the improving peace and security landscape and success of the government’s campaign against terrorism in Visayas region to EO70 or the Whole-of-Nation Approach in Ending the Local Communist Armed Conflict and the continued implementation of Localized Peace Engagements (LPEs) and Support to Barangay Development Programs (SBDPs).
This mechanism is implemented in full force and proven effective in liberating conflict-ridden areas from the shackles of insurgency and converting them into more conflict-resilient communities, he further said.
Negros Island was recently declared in a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security by the respective Joint Peace Security Coordinating Committees of the two provinces, as concurred by their Provincial Peace and Order Councils.*
