BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division will be relentless in going after remnants of the New People’s Army in Western and Central Visayas, its spokesperson, Maj. Cenon Pancito III, said yesterday.
Pancito urged the rebel group remnants to surrender, before it will be too late for them.
An Army soldier and a suspected NPA red fighter died on June 9 in separate encounters between the 62nd Infantry Battalion troopers and two groups of NPA rebels in Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Another Army soldier was injured.
In previous months, 12 rebels also died in separate encounters with 62IB and PNP Special Action Force troopers in Guihulngan City and Siaton in Negros Oriental.
“We will always emerge victorious over you (NPA). You will not win against Philippine Army forces,” Pancito said, stressing that they have sufficient manpower and logistical support to be used against the local terrorists.
“While we are pressing our manhunt operations against you, those who are already tired of fighting against the government may coordinate with the nearest Army outposts and surrender,” he added.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command said it had dismantled two of the five NPA guerilla fronts in Negros Island.
Pancito said the 3rd Infantry Division also honored the heroism of Cpl. Rodney Luces, who died during an encounter with communist rebels in Sitio Cunalom, Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City. The identity of the slain rebel has not been established by authorities, as of this writing.*
