Despite the dismantling of all five New People’s Army (NPA) guerilla fronts in Negros, there is no shifting of Philippine Army forces from the island to the neighboring Panay.
This was declared by regional Army spokesman Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines after Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), ordered the newly-installed commanders of 12th and 82nd Infantry Battalions (IB) to finish the insurgency problem in Panay.
There are two remaining NPA guerilla fronts in Panay, which the Philippine Army has categorized as already “weakened”.
At present, there are six battalions, composed of 79th, 62nd, 94th, 15th, 11th and 47th Infantry Battalions under the supervision of 302nd and 303rd Infantry Brigades stationed in Negros Island, while three others, 61st, 12th and 82nd Infantry Battalions, are stationed in Panay Island.
“We have enough forces in Panay. We will also to sustain our efforts in Negros. No movement of forces as of the period,” Javines said.
The six battalions in Negros Island are on the manhunt for rebels remnants.
The 3ID, which supervises all Army units stationed in Panay and Negros, is eyeing to recommend the declaration of stable internal peace and security in Negros Island by the end of the first quarter this year.
On Feb. 5 and 6, Sison installed Lt. Col. Jovert Pimentel as the commander of the 82IB in Janiuay town, while Lt. Col. Vicel Jan Garsuta took over the 12IB in Calinog, all in Iloilo.
Both change of command ceremonies were also attended by Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, 301st Infantry Brigade commander, who supervises the three battalions stationed in Panay Island.
In his speech, Sison, who described Panay Island as a “sleeping dragon and the remaining bastion of the NPA,” ordered the 82IB and 12IB to work closely with the local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders to facilitate the dismantling of the remaining weakened guerilla fronts.
“Finish the fight. Lick the enemy, totally decimate and eradicate them, in coordination with the LGUs, civil society groups, private, religious and business sectors to establish just and lasting peace in Panay,” he added. | GB
