• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) on Wednesday, Feb. 4, vowed relentless anti-insurgency operations to ensure that rebel remnants in Negros Island will not regain strength or influence.
The statement came after the neutralization of the regional head of the Negros Island Regional Party Committee (NIRPC) and three others, who died in recent encounters.
Reynaldo Erecre, NIRPC secretary, and his comrades were killed in separate clashes with 94th and 47th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental and Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Jan. 30 and 31, respectively.
Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3ID commander, said “the outcome of encounters clearly demonstrates that any attempt by rebel remnants to resurge is destined to fail.”
Samson acknowledged the strong collaboration between the Philippine Army and the local communities, which led to the neutralization of the four rebel remnants,
Lt. Col. Zeigfred Tayaban, 94IB commander, earlier said they were able to thwart an attempt of rebel remnants to sabotage government infrastructure projects in Barangay Biao, Binalbagan.
Samson reiterated his call on the rebel remnants to abandon the armed struggle before it will be too late for them.
“By choosing reconciliation and returning to the fold of the law, they open the door to healing – within themselves, their families, and communities,” he said. | GB
