Focused military operations intensified against rebels

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 8): Focused military operations intensified against rebels

The Philippine Army has intensified its focused military operations against the New People's Army that is behind the series of liquidation activities in southern Negros.

A retired Army sergeant and a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit were the latest victims of the NPA assassins in Moises Padilla and Cauayan towns, in Negros Occidental, respectively.

Lt Col. Rey Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, yesterday said the diminishing strength and capability of the NPA have led them to resort to target unarmed CAFGU members and civilians.

Last week, four suspected NPA assassins shot and killed CAFGU member Roberto Morales, in front of his family members, in Brgy. Camalanda-an, Cauayan.

Mercedita Morales, wife of the victim, fought back and stabbed one of the assailants, identified as Renan Febreo, who is now being treated at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.

Tiongson reminded CAFGU members anew to be extra-cautious.

“We are intensifying also our focused military operations to track down the NPA bandits,” he said.

Two weeks ago, retired Army MSgt. Armando Secuya was gunned down by four suspected SPARU hitmen of the NPA in Brgy. Guinpana-an, Moises Padilla.

Tiongson said the implementation of Bayanihan activities, with CAFGU members and other stakeholders, has been very effective in helping improve the lives of the people in the hinterland communities.

In December last year, CAFGU member Romulo Dollente and ex-CAA members Jimmy Nalagon and Rene Villar, were also shot and killed by NPA rebels in barangays Camalanda-an and poblacion, also in Cauayan, military records show.

http://visayandailystar.com/2016/April/08/negor3.htm