• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Despite persistent violent activities perpetrated by remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Island Region (NIR), the leadership of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) maintained that the communist insurgency is in irreversible downward trend in terms of leadership and support from the communities.
“Through all the years, it did nothing good, but only make the lives of the people miserable in the affected communities,” Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3ID commander, said in a statement.
The 3ID supervises troops stationed in the islands of Negros, Panay, and Bohol.
The Philippine Army reported to have dismantled all the five guerrilla fronts in NIR.
“I don’t think they (NPA) were able to recover,” Samson said.
He added that they are now dealing with rebel remnants, some of them maybe afraid to surrender because of pending cases or because they are being threatened by their comrades.
It could be due to other uncertainties as well as issues, he noted.
“If we can clarify certain issues and concerns of rebel remnants, many will surrender,” he added.
Samson said the dismantling of the guerrilla fronts is a big deal for the NPA, although there is a tendency for the remaining few to project a certain strength.
“We are not happy if there are deaths or if there are those being hurt as a result of encounters. This is not what we want. What we really want is for them to surrender peacefully and embrace the peace,” the Army general said.
He added that the encounters between government forces and rebel remnants is merely and a consequence of the NPA’s action and decision, which is to fight the government.
“We are relentlessly pursuing our operations to fast-track their decision to give up the fight,” Samson said. | GB
