Remnants of the New People’s Army in Negros Island may expect hard-hitting and focused military operations from the Philippine Army this year, said Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.
“With a fresh start for 2021, we will not just hit them; but we will hit them hard for the protection of the Filipino people whom we are serving,” he added.
Vinoya met with Army troops during his visit Wednesday to the headquarters of the Joint Enhanced Military and Police Operations Task Force in Barangay Caradio-an, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
The five Army battalions stationed in Negros have been tasked to dismantle the four remaining NPA guerilla fronts in the island, following the dismantling of the Southeast Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor.
Vinoya said that the higher units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police in Western and Central Visayas were elated by the accomplishments of JEMPO Task Force in central and southern Negros.
He lauded the unselfish job of task force members to accomplish their mission, despite of not enjoying the holiday season with their respective families.
“Surely, with your sacrifices, we will earn the fruits of our labor and leave nothing for the terrorist groups who are hindering the peace and progress in this area of Negros Island”, Vinoya said.
Maj. Cenon Pancito, 3ID spokesperson, reported that they were able to neutralize 55 NPA armed regulars in Negros Island last year, with 11 who died in gunbattles, 13 other arrested, and 31 who surrendered.
Of the 110 firearms recovered in armed skirmishes and those being surrendered, 74 of them were accounted for in Negros Island, Pancito added.
In the same period, 74 barangays were also liberated from the control and influence of the NPA remnants, he also said.
Col. Leonardo Peña, JEMPO Task Force commander, said that they will continue to hunt the remaining NPA members to prevent them from plaguing not only the two Negros provinces, but the whole country as well. – GB
