3rd ID gaining ground in fight vs. insurgents

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 22): 3rd ID gaining ground in fight vs. insurgents

Thanks to the implementation of the military's Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan", the 3rd Infantry Division, which is operating in the the Western Visayas, says it continues to gain ground in its fight with the New People's Army (NPA) rebels.

The former strategy uses rural development programs in fending off the rebel threat.

In Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental last Oct. 20, another two weapons were turned over by a former rebel to the 11th Infantry Battalion which includes one M-72 light anti-tank weapon (LAW) with munition and one M-1 Carbine rifle with three magazines.

Two weeks ago, a total nine members of the NPA’s Yunit Militia from Moises Padilla Negros Occidental and Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental turned themselves over to the government authorities together with 17 firearms that also included an M-72 LAW, an M-16 rifle, an M-1 carbine rifle with several rounds of ammunition, one live 60mm mortar round and12 rifle grenades.

In July 11, 2013, Army troops encountered more or less 15 NPA rebels at Sitio Cansuhi, Brgy Tacpao, Guihulngan City Negros Oriental where the rebels abandoned their camp leaving behind one caliber .357 pistol, one hand grenade, one improvised explosive device (IED) with detonating cord, five NPA flags, training aids and other war materials.

In Sept. 6, Army troops also figured in an encounter with the NPA rebels at Sitio Hinobaan, Brgy Plagatasanon, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental where four NPA rebels were captured and an M-14 rifle, explosives, ammunitions and other war materials were also recovered.

Meanwhile, on Oct. 8, a high ranking NPA leader Nilda Bertulano, was arrested by the combined forces of the Army and the PNP in Bais City, Negros Oriental by virtue of arrest warrants for cases of murder and rebellion.

Bertulano alias Frea as identified by the former rebels was the Commanding Officer of the Front Operational Command of Larangang Gerilya 1 (FOC-LG1) that carried out various atrocities of the NPA operating in Central Negros victimizing innocent civilians and destroyed properties in the area.

“Several members of the New People’s Army have already realized that armed struggle has no place in the Visayan society. With our continued efforts in gaining grounds towards achieving peace, we are certain that Negros Oriental will be free from the affectations of the NPA by the end of this year,” 3rd Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad said.

Based on Internal Peace and Security Operations assessment done by 3rd Infantry Division in third quarter of this year, nineteen NPA rebels in their area of operations were neutralized: seven captured, one killed in an encounter and 11 of them have abandoned the armed struggle and joined the mainstream society.

A week ago, four former NPA rebels in Capiz have received financial assistance of P50, 000 each from the government to start a new life as they integrate themselves to the mainstream society.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=578814