• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros have two options – surrender or die fighting a lost cause.
This was the message of Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID), to the remaining communist rebels in the island, following the mass surrender of 12 armed rebels belonging to the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF) to the 79th Infantry Battalion in Sagay City last week.
Among the 12 former rebels was the NNF secretary, whose identity is being withheld by the 3ID for security reasons.
Last week, six NPA rebels also died in an encounter with 47th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Barangay Tabugon, Kabankalan City.
“This is your chance to use the time to surrender, for the government is always willing to extend a helping hand to get all of you on the right path,” Sison said
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Visayas Command (VisCom) has issued a stern warning against allies and accomplices of the CPP-NPA after the filing of a complaint against a people’s organization in Cebu by Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade.
“They cannot hide under the guise of cause-oriented and advocacy support groups forever. The law will not turn a blind eye to their deception, corruption, and terrorist acts,” Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, VisCom chief, said in a statement.
Aiding, conspiring, and providing financial support to a terrorist group is a crime punishable under our law, he added. | GB
