• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division is eyeing “total victory” against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Central and Western Visayas after the last remaining guerrilla front in Negros Island has been declared as dismantled.
“This collective triumph against the CPP-NPA in the Visayas region is coming sooner than expected,” said Maj. Gen. Marion, 3rd Infantry Division (ID) commander, in a statement on Wednesday (March 6).
On March 1, the Negros Occidental Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee (JPSCC), comprising the 302nd and 303rd Infantry Brigades, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard, signed a joint resolution, recommending the declaration of the province of Negros Occidental in a state of stable internal peace and security (SIPS).
The 3ID supervises three infantry brigades, composed of nine Army battalions deployed in Negros, Panay and Bohol.
Sison said that the inevitable downfall of the NPA is also evident in Panay Island after its remaining “weakened” Central and Southern Panay Fronts recently suffered successive losses and major setbacks, signifying that a state of SIPS for its people is at hand.
He added that the NPA failed to regain its influence in Bohol province after the death of its ranking leader along with his comrades, including a neophyte lawyer and three others, during the Feb. 23 encounter in Bilar town.
In February alone, the 301st, 302nd and 303rd Infantry Brigades delivered a significant blow against the NPA in Western and Central Visayas in 20 government-initiated encounters, Sison said.
These resulted in the death of 16 rebels, surrender of nine others and capture of one, and the seizure of 31 high-powered and 16 short firearms.
“These are not mere words meant for boasting as claimed by the NPA but tangible achievements supported by facts and figures. The truth may be harsh, making it understandable for them not to accept this painful defeat,” Sison said. | GB
