The Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) anticipates the destruction of New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla fronts on Negros Island.
In a recent report, the 303IBde said the NPA remnants, reported to be roaming around hinterland areas in Negros, where the presence of government troops is minimal, continue to evade military operations.
“The security situation in Negros Occidental is generally peaceful and manageable, which greatly improved after a series of focused military operations, and whole-of-nation approach activities and programs of the government were conducted, especially in rebel-affected areas,” the report added.
The remnants are now struggling to recover following a series of encounters in the past months, it added.
Among the dismantled NPA fronts were the Northern Negros Front, Central Negros 1 and 2, South West Front, and the Regional Striking Force of Komiteng Rehiyonal.
Every guerrilla front, including their regional striking force, has five to nine remaining armed members, the 303IBde said.
Earlier, the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) reported that 19 NPA members on the islands of Panay and Negros were neutralized in one month.
Thirteen of the NPA fatalities were from Panay, and six were from Negros Island, the 3ID said.
“When the loudest clarion call sounds, we rise above any situation and deliver the best results, no matter the circumstances,” 3ID commander Major General Marion Sison said in the statement.
“The quality of our work remains consistent and unprecedented, leading to victories one after another,” Sison added.
In July, Sison said most of the guerrilla fronts of the NPA in Negros have been dismantled by the military.
However, there are five NPA remnants that are still being monitored by the authorities.
“We will sustain whatever gains we have made. As long as there are remnants of the NPA, let us not relax, and let us sustain our gains,” Sison said.
“We will finish them. We will eradicate them in order for Negros Occidental to really have that peace, progress and development,” he stressed./WDJ