3rd ID chief: Army on track to declare Negros, Panay insurgency-free next year

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 28): 3rd ID chief: Army on track to declare Negros, Panay insurgency-free next year

The 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army remains on track in their objective of declaring Negros and Panay Islands “insurgency-free” by next year, its top official said.

Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the 3rd ID based in Jamindan, Capiz, said in a statement while admitting that they fell short of their target to reduce the New People’s Army’s (NPA) strength and firepower in the third quarter of 2015.

Guerrero said they were able to reduce the NPA strength in Negros to about 147 members, with the same numbers also in Panay. At the same time, they were able to clear 49 rebel-affected barangays in both islands, he added.

Last year, the military estimated that there were still about 200 rebels operating in the hinterlands of Negros.

The 3rd ID aims to further reduce the NPA strength and firepower by 25 percent by the end of the year, he added.

While there is a lull in violent activities of the NPA, Guerrero admitted that there is also an increase in non-violent activities of the rebel group, such as recruitment of new members, mass-based buildup, and foraging of logistical requirements.

He, however, said the rebels are facing difficulty in their expansion activities due to the presence of Army Bayanihan Teams in rebel-affected areas.

For as long as the Bayanihan Teams are present in those areas, it will further restrict the movement and expansion attempt of the NPA remnants, Guerrero said.

Records of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command showed that 11 of the 16 provinces in the Visayas region have been declared as insurgency-free, including the two provinces of Negros, Iloilo, Northern Samar and Capiz.

As to the call of former Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante to issue safe conduct passes for the NPA to join their respective families in the lowlands, Guerrero said they could come down anytime, provided they will not bring their firearms.

For as long as they abandon the armed struggle, there is no problem with it, he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=808934