By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The New People’s Army (NPA) in Central Negros now faces a “major defeat” following the weekend encounters in Negros Occidental’s Moises Padilla town and in Negros Oriental’s Guihulngan City.

Lt. General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Philippine Army-Visayas Command (Viscom), said the series of debacles suffered by the NPA is the result of the Army’s active convergence with residents and local government units.

“This is a clear manifestation of the strong bond that we have in the fight against terrorism,” Arevalo said.

He said they will never stop and they will never allow the NPA to spoil the peace by sowing fear and terror to the populace.

The Viscom commander added that they will continue to push their focused military operation harder until justice is served for the atrocities that the terrorist group has committed to the residents.

“We are determined to end local communist armed conflict in the region as soon as possible,” Arevalo said.

He also urged remaining NPA fighters to surrender and return to society, pointing out their call for peace continues and the door of opportunity for them to return to the folds of the law remains open, adding that they do not want their lives to be wasted.

“Heed the call of our government and follow the lead of your former comrades who are now living peaceful and progressive lives with their families. Lay down your arms now before it’s too late,” Arevalo added.

On Saturday, May 20, five NPA fighters were killed following three separate gun battles in Moises Padilla’s Barangay Quintin Remo.

The clashes were then followed on Sunday, May 21, in Guihulngan’s Barangay Trinidad, where another four NPA fighters were killed when they encountered the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion in Sitio Cambawgon./DGB, WDJ