• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bring the number of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to “zero” and put an end to the local armed conflict in central Negros.
This was the marching order of Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID), to Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga III, newly-installed commander of 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Isabela, Negros Occidental.
On Feb. 27, Ilanga succeeded Col. William Pesase, who stepped down from his post after serving the infantry unit for more than two years.
The two NPA guerrilla fronts, Central Negros (CN) 1 and 2, were declared as dismantled during the stint of Pesase.
The 62IB was joined by the 94th Infantry Battalion in the campaign to dismantle the two guerrilla fronts.
Under Pesase, the infantry unit recorded 40 government-initiated encounters which resulted in three major engagements, seizure of 81 firearms, neutralization of 35 rebels in encounters, among them Rogelio Posadas alias Poten, secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS), and the surrender of 43 former rebels.
The 94IB was credited for the dismantling of CN 2 guerrilla front.
Sison said that the dismantled CN1 has remaining seven armed members.
“Finding, fixing and finishing them require deliberate planning and foresight to destroy them completely,” he added.
Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs chief of 3ID, said there are still a few remaining members of the Regional Security Force of KR-NCBS operating in central Negros, aside from the remnants of CN 1 and 2.
Pesase cited the unwavering dedication, commitment and support of various local government units and national government agencies in the government’s fight against the decades-long insurgency in the accomplishment of the 62IB’s mission and objectives.
“Our collective efforts have not only secured the safety and security of our people but have also contributed to laying the foundation for stable internal peace and security in central Negros,” he added.
Ilanga said that leading the 62IB gives him a rare opportunity and great honor, but also comes with huge responsibility and challenges. | GB
