• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two more guerilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Island have been declared dismantled by the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army.
Lt. Col. J Jay Javines, 3ID civil-military operations chief, yesterday said the both the Central Negros (CN1) and Central Negros (CN2) of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siqujior were added to the list of those declared as dismantled.
He said the forces of CN1 and CN2, respectively also known as Leonardo Panaligan Command and Mt. Cansermon Command, have been reduced to squad- sized units comprised of about 10 members each.
The Joint Peace Security and Coordinating Committee (JPSCC) composed of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police will soon issue a resolution to formalize the declaration of CN1 and CN2 as dismantled guerilla fronts.
In the previous years, the JPSCC had already declared the South East and Northern Negros Fronts as dismantled.
Javines, however, said that declaring a guerilla front as dismantled does not necessarily mean the Philippine Army will cease their operations against the NPA remnants.
It is a “challenge” to go after them since they are now composed of small groups, he admitted.
Javines said the three remaining NPA guerilla fronts up for dismantling are the South West Front in southern Negros as well as Southern and Central Front of Komiteng Rehiyonal Panay.
On Oct. 6, soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion encountered CN2 remnants and Regional Striking Force fighters in Barangay Santol, Binalbagan that resulted in the recovery of an M60 machine gun and a .30 caliber Bolt action sniper rifle, assorted ammunition, and a rifle grenade, among other items.
In his report to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who recently visited Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of 3ID, stated that from eight active NPA guerilla fronts in Negros and Panay, there are only three left also declared as “weakened”.
Sison also reported that 3ID units figured in 73 armed encounters with the NPA in Negros, Panay and Bohol, of which six were major armed engagements.
These resulted in the neutralization of 137 rebel personalities, 11 of whom were top leaders of the NPA, and the recovery of 118 firearms from January to October this year.
“With strong partnership, cooperation and collaboration with our stakeholders, let us continue to work together towards our goal of declaring our area of operations free from the influence of the communist terrorist group the soonest time possible,” Sison said.
He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Executive for recognizing the dedicated efforts and achievements of 3ID.
“We are indeed fortunate that our President visited us and acknowledged our efforts to end local communist armed conflict in Western and Central Visayas. More than his visit, may his words inspire all of us to work even harder to accomplish our mission,” he added. | GB
