By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Earlier this month, Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander, Major General Jon Aying, reported a massive recruitment drive by members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Occidental. However, he says the move is unsuccessful as the current number of rebels in the province is “declining.”
“The decline of their recruitment activities is a result of the enlightenment of the people that war is not the solution to their grievances towards government,” he said.
“They are intensifying their recruitment activities to augment their dwindling forces,” Aying added. “They have failed to convince them to join the armed struggle.”
According to the major general, there are about 200 rebels in all of Negros island.
He expects, in 10 years, the island will be completely peaceful.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. offered P300,000 to communist rebels who surrender to authorities./WDJ