The Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) on Wednesday, May 29, urged residents in northern Negros Oriental to not fall prey to the fake news being spread by the New People’s Army (NPA) of an alleged encounter in Vallehermoso town.

Lt. Colonel Evelio Ilanga, 62IB battalion commander, said these are all lies by a dismantled guerrilla front to deceive the people amid futile efforts to recover their mass base support.

“Basically, it is part of their propaganda to spread fake news to make people believe that their presence is still significant, and they are still capable of committing atrocities against government forces,” Ilanga said in mixed English and Filipino.

Ilanga was referring to a post on social media purportedly by the Leonardo Panaligan Command saying that an encounter took place between 62IB troops and NPA members at Barangay Malangsa in Vallehermoso town.

The encounter never happened, and no soldier was injured or killed, contrary to the claim of the NPA, he said.

The Army commander said that nevertheless, they continue with their peace and security efforts to ensure that the NPA can no longer recoup.

This comes in preparation for the declaration of Negros Island as a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (PNA)