• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army yesterday honored 12 Negros-based soldiers for successful military operations against remnants of the New People’s Army, across the Negros Island Region.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete yesterday led the conferment of Gold Cross Medals, Silver Cross Medals, and Military Merit Medals with Bronze Spearhead Device to members of the 79th, 47th, 62nd Infantry Battalions, and Army intelligence units, during the 52nd founding anniversary of the 3rd Infantry Division led by Maj. Gen. Michael Samson at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.
Four of the Gold Cross and Silver medal recipients were involved in the series of encounters in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, which led to the neutralization of 19 suspected NPA rebels led by Roger Fabillar, alias Jhong, whose group was allegedly involved in a spate of killings of civilians in northern Negros.
Four other Gold Cross, Silver Cross, and Military Merit Medal recipients are members of the 47th Infantry Battalion, while four others are members of 62nd Infantry Battalion and various Army intelligence units.
Nafarrete described the Toboso encounters as among the most successful military operations in Negros Island.
The Toboso armed encounters also led to the recovery of 25 firearms of assorted calibers, as well as explosives, military records showed.
The Army chief also recalled a historic military achievement in Negros Occidental — the seizure of rebel training camp by Special Forces troopers led by then Capt. Arturo Ortiz, an operation that earned him the Medal of Valor, the country’s highest military honor.
Nafarrete noted that recent developments in Negros reflect a shift in public sentiment.
“What is happening in Negros now shows that the people are already tired of the useless activities of the New People’s Army. It is a lost cause,” he said.
He underscored that the Armed Forces remain committed to ensuring that peace and development continue to flourish in affected communities.
Nafarrete also thanked various stakeholders, especially the media for their role in nation-building, acknowledging its efforts to present both sides while helping inform the public of government initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos.
He also welcomed the support of the Toboso municipal government for the peace building efforts of the 79th Infantry Battalion.
While the Philippine Army has been given a new mission – external defense security operations, Nafarrete gave the assurance that they will continue to perform local peace security and order.*
