By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A commander of the Philippine Army in Negros already expects the local insurgents from the New People’s Army (NPA) will reject their offer of holding localized peace talks.

Colonel Michael Samson, 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde) commander, said he is not surprised the NPA in Negros will refuse the peace offer and it is proof that they are acting as “puppets” for the central committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Samson added the NPA’s offer rejection means that they do not want to resolve the problems of the insurgency in Negros.

Despite the rejection, Samson said the door remains open for other local NPA units in the province that want a way out of the conflict through the negotiating table.

The 303IBde commander also said the government forces in Negros will continue their work to make sure the province remains safe and peaceful for everyone.

Earlier this week, the NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command had rejected the peace terms and has threatened to mount tactical offensives against government forces.

Previously, Samson had already warned that they would mercilessly hunt members of the NPA if they resisted the government’s peace offer.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an appeal to NPA to lay down their arms and benefit from the programs of the government./DGB, WDJ