- GILBERT BAYORAN
The Mt. Cansermon Command of the New People’s Army South Central Negros disputed military claims that 24 of their comrades recently surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion, following a withdrawal of support of residents in Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City to the NPA, as reported Nov. 19 by the 94th IB.
In a statement, Ka Dionesio Magbuelas of the Mt. Cansermon Command said that by presenting fake surrenderees, “the Armed Forces of the Philippines wants to project that they are winning the campaign against the revolutionary movement in Himamaylan City.”
Magbuelas recalled that the 94IB also presented 27 fake rebel surrenderees in September this year.
Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, said that the 24 rebels, who voluntarily surrendered to them, also endorsed seven hand guns, three rifle grenades, and a fragmentation grenade.
“They were hungry and exhausted members of the NPA terrorist group,” Almonte said.
The series of encounters in the hinterland sitios of Brgy. Carabalan in Himamaylan City last month claimed the lives of two Army soldier, as well as that of Romeo Nanta, regional commander of the NPA in Negros Island.
Almonte said the communist terrorist group is now demoralized by the series of setbacks due to their recent loses, not only of their key leaders, but of abandonment by their armed followers and supporters.
Residents of Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental denounced the atrocities perpetrated by the rebel group during a condemnation rally held at the barangay covered court Nov. 19.
The activity was realized through the efforts of the 94IB, Himamaylan City Police Station, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6, and Carabalan punong barangay Mildred Titular, among other government agencies.
“The willingness of the peace-loving residents in condemning the communist terrorist group showed that they have been longing to live in a place where peace is paramount, and opportunity for development is coming,” Almonte said./GB
