• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Despite persistent violent activities perpetrated by remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Island Region (NIR), the leadership of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division maintains that the communist insurgency is on an irreversible downward trend, in terms of leadership and support from the communities.
Through all the years, it did nothing good, but only made the lives of the people miserable in the affected communities, declared Maj. Gen. Michael Samson,3ID commander, who supervises Army troops stationed in islands of Negros, Panay and Bohol islands.
The Philippine Army reported the dismantling of all the five guerilla fronts in NIR.
“I don’t think they (NPA) were able to recover,” Samson said, adding that they are now dealing with rebel remnants, with some maybe afraid to surrender because of their pending cases, or being threatened by their comrades, and other uncertainties or issues.
If we can clarify certain issues and concerns of rebel remnants, many will surrender, he added.
As to the heightened propaganda of rebels and their deception tactics, Samson said “for 50 years, we have learned our lessons.”
He added that the dismantling of guerilla fronts is a big deal for the NPA, although there is a tendency for the remaining few to project a certain strength.
But Samson said they are relentlessly pursuing the remnants, as they are not sitting on their laurels.
“We are not happy if there are deaths, or [people] being hurt as a result of encounters. This is not what we want. What we really want is for them to surrender peacefully and embrace the peace”, the Army general said.
He added that the encounters between government forces and rebel remnants is merely a consequence of their (NPA) action and decision, which is to fight the government.
“We are relentlessly pursuing our operations to fast track their decision to give up the fight,” said Samson, who presided on Monday over the change of 79IB command leadership from Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan to Lt. Col. Eric Alfonso in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City.
Fighting the government is useless and futile, and they will never win, he stressed.*
