• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) employ violent activities by targeting civilians they accuse as military informants as part of their diversionary tactics to lessen pressure against them, according to the Philippine Army.
Because of the ongoing focused military operations conducted by the 303rd Infantry Brigade against them, the rebel remnants have dispersed into small formations, evading government operations and establishing their survival posture, a report of the Philippine Army said.
The dismantled Roselyn Jean Pelle Command issued separate statements claiming responsibility for the recent killings of four civilians in Toboso, E.B. Magalona and Victorias City.
Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3rd Infantry Division commander, ordered troops in Negros Island to sustain military operations against NPA remnants to prevent them from recruiting new members and recover their lost territories.
“We cannot be complacent because we know that by the nature of the revolutionary movement, if you neglect them, they usually take advantage of the situation, where troops are absent,” Samson said.
From January to April 27 this year, a total of 15 rebel remnants were neutralized by the 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Occidental, 10 of them were killed in separate gunbattles in the cities of Kabankalan, Sipalay and Cadiz while three were arrested and two others surrendered.
In the same period, 13 firearms and two explosives were also recovered by the Philippine Army.
In its assessment, the Philippine Army said that rebel remnants in Negros Occidental are expected to intensify their recovery in the urban areas, by organizing underground mass organization and sectoral front organizations.
As of this time, it added that the security situation in Negros Occidental remains generally peaceful and manageable, with the whole of nation and whole of government programs and projects combined with focused military operations having significantly degraded the capabilities of the NPA remnants. | GB
