The Philippine Army's 901st Infantry Brigade based at
Barangay Villahermosa in Daraga, Albay said it will sustain its combat
operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) in its area of responsibility
after incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo
Visaya ordered Bicol-based troops not to relax or lower their guard but to
sustain their anti-insurgency activities.
The order came on the heels of NPA ambuscades against the
Philippine National Police (PNP) that left one cop killed and two wounded,
including a student in Masbate , on June 5
while two cops were killed and another civilian was wounded in an ambush in
Bulan, Sorsogon on June 3.
“There are groups in the New People’s Army which do not
follow order from their higher-ups despite an agreed ceasefire,” Brig. Gen.
Claudio L. Yucot, 901st IB commander, said during a press conference at the Air
Force’s Tactical Operations Group 5, Friday morning.
“I came to know this hard lesson for the last 30 years
fighting communist rebels,” he said, adding that there are NPA units which are
engaged in banditry.
The brigade’s operational control is in Albay, Catanduanes
and Camarines Sur’s third, fourth and fifth districts -- including the towns of
Castilla, Pilar, Donsol in Sorsogon province.
“Yes we are always ready while the peace talk is being
worked out,” Yucot said.
He said it is a welcome development that the government is
entering another peace talk with the Communist Party of the Philippines
“But this does not mean that we will put our guards down
because there are rogue elements in the NPA who will take advantage of the
situation to make a fast run against us,” the Army official said.
Based on military intelligence, Yucot said, there are less
than 30 NPA regulars operating in his command's area of operation.
“I want them (the rebels) to avail of the comprehensive
local integration program. It’s sad to think Filipinos are fighting and killing
each other because a group wants to impose a bankrupt communist ideology,” he
said.
Yucot added that this program will give a new chance for
their families to live a peaceful and normal life.
Although there is no formal order yet for a ceasefire, they
might take advantage to attack far-flung and weak areas, he said.
“Once the order is given to start the peace talks with the
accompanying cessation of hostilities, we will follow the order. Whatever order
is given to us by our new AFP Chief of Staff we will follow it to the letter,”
the Army official said.
Yucot added that there is no problem with the incoming AFP
Chief of Staff because he is a very competent commander and a very good leader.
Visaya flew to Camp Elias Angeles, the headquarters of the
9th Infantry Division in Barangay Tinangis, Pili, Camarines Sur on June 20 to
bid farewell and personally thank the officers, men and women of the Army’s
best infantry division.
He was received by 9th Infantry Division Commander Major
Gen. Ferdinand F. Quidilla with the rest of the Team 9ID.
There was a command conference on the current status of
division’s internal security operations which was attended by field commanders.
It was followed by a talk from Visaya to impart some
guidance of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.
He said his job as Southern Luzon
commander was made easier because of “your cooperation and support."
Visaya will assume the post as AFP Chief of Staff on July 1.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=898618
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