• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Visayas Command (VISCOM) showed its seriousness in ending the local communist armed conflict in the Visayas by flexing its might in delivering a crushing blow against remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros and Panay islands.
In recent armed encounters in Escalante City, Negros Occidental and San Joaquin town, Iloilo, soldiers of the 79th and 61st Infantry Battalions (IB), respectively, met heavy resistance as they engaged NPA rebels who were in advantage position.
In the Iloilo encounter on Feb. 28, the 61IB called for artillery fire support to prevent or minimize casualties on the part of the government forces.
The newly-acquired Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) 155mm self-propelled gun was used with the support of a surveillance plane.
A precision air strike using two Agusta Westland 109 attack helicopters was utilized against remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front on
Feb. 21, 22 and 27 in the hinterlands of Escalante City.
“The use of these precise and highly sophisticated weaponry is a clear manifestation that indeed we are dead serious in neutralizing the remnants of the CPP-NPA and in ending the local communist armed conflict in the Visayas region,” VISCOM chief Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said in a statement.
The two encounters in San Joaquin town claimed the lives of four rebels, and led to the capture a ranking rebel leader as well as the recovery of four M16 rifles and an AK 47 assault rifle.
The series of gunbattles in Escalante City resulted in the death of three suspected NPA members and the recovery of 20 assorted firearms.
After delivering a series of artillery and rocket fires to the locations of the terrorist groups, the heavy resistance crumbled allowing the government troops to advance, Arevalo said.
The ATMOS is considered as the largest arsenal of VISCOM in the Visayas region.
“It can deliver accurate fires to a range of up to 41 kilometers. We will not hesitate to use them especially when the safety of our troops is at risk,” Arevalo said.
He reiterated his call on the few remaining CPP-NPA members to heed the appeal of the government to return to the fold of the law.
“You cannot run or hide from the government. Choose the path of peace before it’s too late,” the VISCOM chief added. | GB
