By CESAR JOLITO III

The Philippine Army has rejected the results of the so-called national fact-finding and solidarity mission on recent armed encounters in Negros Occidental’s Cauayan and Toboso towns, branding the report as propaganda allegedly aimed at protecting communist insurgent groups.

In a statement, army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said organizations allegedly linked to the communist terrorist group (CTG) should be held accountable for the deaths of young individuals involved in the encounters.

Dema-ala accused the groups of allegedly radicalizing the youth and encouraging them to join armed insurgency operations instead of pursuing peaceful and productive lives.

The army also challenged the organizations to explain why some of their alleged members were found in combat areas carrying firearms and engaging government troops.

According to the military, the recent clashes in Toboso and Cauayan reflect what it described as a continuing “pattern of deception” by the CTG, where young recruits are allegedly misled into joining the armed struggle.

The army said government security forces remain focused on intensified operations against remaining CTG units in Negros Island.

The statement also cited the neutralization of Rolando Dantes, whom the military identified as a key CTG leader operating in southern Negros.

Authorities linked Dantes to several killings in the province, including the deaths of a barangay official in Cauayan and an elderly woman in Kabankalan City.

Military officials added that cooperation from local communities contributed significantly to recent security operations and reiterated their commitment to sustaining peace and pursuing justice for victims of alleged CTG-related violence in Negros./CJ, WDJ