Scout Rangers pulled out; anti-insurgency campaign continues in Negros Oriental

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11): Scout Rangers pulled out; anti-insurgency campaign continues in Negros Oriental

The government’s anti-insurgency campaign in Negros Oriental continues without let up despite the unexpected pull out of the elite Scout Ranger troops for deployment to war-torn Zamboanga City.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, led the send off ceremony of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, comprising three companies one of which was assigned in Negros Oriental, Tuesday at the Bacolod-Silay airport in Negros Occidental.

The Army commander assured there will be no vacuum left with the departure of the Scout Rangers to Zamboanga City as there are enough ground forces to continue the military’s campaign against the rebel New People’s Army in Negros.

He admitted, though, that there will be a slowdown in their timeline in reducing the insurgency problem in Negros Oriental and the 5th district of Negros Occidental – the coverage area of the 302nd brigade – by December of this year.

The Scout Rangers were in the midst of clearing operations since last week following an encounter between government troops and suspected NPA members in Guihulngan City when the announcement for their pull out was made.

The pull out of the Scout Rangers was dictated by higher priorities, said Brig. Gen. Patrimonio.

“We will do our best with resources available,” said the Army general, referring to the anti-insurgency operations in Negros Oriental.

He pointed out that even before the Scout Rangers deployment in Negros, regular troops of the Philippine Army were doing well in carrying out the government’s operation plan to wipe out the insurgency in the island.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=564790