Army hopes peace in NIR to last long

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jan 9): Army hopes peace in NIR to last long

The Army's 303 rd Infantry Brigade is storming the heavens with prayers that the peaceful atmosphere in Negros Island Region, brought about by the unilateral ceasefire being observed by the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front, will continue to reign and last long.

Col. Francisco Delfin, 303 rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said they have not monitored any insurgency-related incident in Negros countrysides, since the unilateral ceasefire took effect four months ago.

The unilateral ceasefire is now being enjoyed by Negrenses, much more by the families of government troopers and NPA rebels, who no longer worry that they will clash with each other, and cause injuries or worse, the loss of lives.

“We have not monitored any violation, so far,” Delfin, who supervises two Army battalions operating in Negros, said.

With military operations suspended, he said, peace and development activities have been given more focus.

“All of us feel what is peace and its positive impact, and feeling good that no life has been lost,” Delfin said.

Both the Army soldiers and the NPA were able to spend “quality time” with their respective families during the yuletide season celebrations, Delfin said.

But he said their vigilance has not been lowered despite the ceasefire.

The military claims that the NPA in Negros has about 200 armed members, an allegation disputed by Juanito Magbanua of the NPA Regional Operational Command, during a clandestine interview with selected local media in central Negros.

The NDF-Negros also expressed its support to the ongoing peace talks between the government and the NDF.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/January/09/topstory6.htm