The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said it has dismantled two New People’s Army guerilla fronts in Negros Island, with another to follow soon.
Maj. Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the 3ID, said yesterday that they were able to dismantle the South East and Northern Negros Fronts of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS), in the past year.
Eighty-four far-flung communities in Western and Central Visayas have also been liberated from the influence of the CPP-NPA-NDF, Pancito said.
The KR-NCBS had earlier issued a statement strongly debunking military claims of having dismantled its South East Front guerilla unit.
But Pancito said that with 40 to 60 NPA fighters composing a guerilla front, the Army was able to reduce their armed strength to less than 15 fighters.
While he admitted that there are still NPA remnants operating in the northern and southeast portions of Negros Island, Pancito said they are focused more in recovering their areas and avoiding armed skirmishes with government troops.
They shift to political works and build alliances again, as well as recruit new fighters, based on documents recovered by soldiers following encounters with the NPA, Pancito added.
Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, 3ID commander, said they were able to induce numerous surrenders from both guerilla members and supporters of the CPP-NPA.
From January to April 28 this year, the 3ID infantry units stationed in Negros, Panay and Bohol conducted 57 operations that resulted in the killing of 15 NPA rebels, capture of two others, and seizure of 24 high-powered firearms. – GB
