More NPA rebels in Negros

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 20): More NPA rebels in Negros

There are more New People’s Army rebels in Negros island than Panay, although less in barangays under the influence of the rebel group, military records show.

Major Gen. Aurelio Baladad, 3rd Infantry Division commander, who supervises the internal peace and security operations in Negros and Panay islands, reported that there are still about 233 NPA rebels in three guerilla fronts of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros, with firearms estimated at 230.

KR-Negros is chaired by priest-turned-rebel Frank Fernandez, who has a P5 million bounty for his arrest.

During its peak in the late 1980’s, the NPA had more than 2,000 armed members in Negros island, military records also show.

The Panay Island Regional Party Committee has an armed strength of 170 with 146 firearms. It also has 77 rebel-affected barangays, Baladad said.

He also reported that the South East Front in Negros Oriental, that used to be under the Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas (KSRB), has 23 remaining members and is now under the supervision of KR-Negros, after the KSRB moved out of Negros island.

In 2013, the 3ID infantry units in Negros and Panay figured in 12 encounters with NPA rebels, with 11 of them killed, 17 captured, while 44 others surrendered. They also recovered 12 high-powered firearms, majority of which are seized by the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Sagay City and Toboso, military records also showed.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/February/20/topstory8.htm