• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
With the dismantling of two rebel guerilla fronts and weakening of three others, Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino yesterday said that the defeat of New People’s Army in Negros by year end is possible.
Centino, who attended the 34th founding anniversary of the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Libas, Isabela, Negros Occidental, stressed the need for a “sense of urgency” to finish the fight against NPA remnants in Negros Island, taking advantage of rebel’s leadership vacuum, lack of resources, and losing mass-based support.
The AFP classified the Northern and South East Fronts of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor as dismantled, and the Central Negros 1 and 2 and South West Fronts as “weakened”.
The Central Negros 1 recently suffered a debacle in four series of encounters in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, and Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, where nine of its Red fighters died in gun battles, while two surrendered.
It also resulted in the confiscation of about 16 firearms, improvised landmines, and explosives, among other war materials.
Centino, who led the awarding of medals to 62IB soldiers involved in the successful military operations, said that a “weakened guerilla front” still has armed followers, but without support from the masses.
Stressing that Negros island has enough forces, “we will do this as soon as possible, top focus other pressing concerns”, Centino said, apparently referring to the dismantling of remaining “weakened” guerillas fronts in Negros.
At present, there are six battalions of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division assigned in Negros and three others in Panay Island.
As to the resources of NPA and it allied groups, both domestic and international, Centino claims that the AFP has already addressed it.
Centino also met with mayors of the 5th district of Negros Occidental, including Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson, Isabela Mayor Irene Montilla, Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, and Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda, to thank them for their support to the AFP peace campaign in their respective areas.
On the other hand, residents and barangay officials of Don E. Villegas and Brgy. Malangsa, both of Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, have declared the CPP-NPA-NDF as Persona Non Grata, according to a statement issued by the 62IB.*
