• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) will start focusing its efforts in Panay, following the dismantling of five New People’s Army (NPA) guerilla fronts in Negros Island.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of 3ID, said they will sustain the gains, continue the momentum, and focus on the campaign to dismantle the remaining guerrilla fronts, including the Panay Front and Central Front of Komiteng-Rehiyon Panay.
In the past three weeks, the 3ID has initiated five encounters in Negros and Panay that claimed the lives of four NPA rebel remnants and the recovery of eight firearms.
Sison, however, said the job of the 3ID is not yet finished in Negros as they are still pursuing armed rebel remnants to prevent them from recovering their lost territories and from continuing consolidation efforts.
Meanwhile, a former NPA political instructor surrendered on Monday to Mayor Alme Rhummyla Mangilimutan and the police in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
The 71-year-old female yielded following a recent encounter in Barangay Sag-ang that led to the killing of two rebels and recovery of three assorted firearms.
PMaj. Rhojn Darrell Nigos, spokesman of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, yesterday said that the self-confessed rebel instructor resides in Barangay Linantuyan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
She is now under the custody of authorities, pending verification if she has arrest warrants, he added.
In another development, Sison and his deputy, Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña, led the donning of ranks of 595 soldiers assigned in different infantry units of the 3ID, who were promoted to the next higher ranks on Monday at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.
These include 314 who now have the rank of Corporal and 281 promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Sison congratulated the newly-promoted enlisted personnel for their well-deserved promotion and a job well done for their unwavering contributions to the success of 3ID’s campaign in 2023. | GB
