Gov’t forces reach out to residents of NegOcc clash site

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24, 2021): Gov’t forces reach out to residents of NegOcc clash site (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

PEACE DIALOGUE. Troops of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion and its partners join residents of Hacienda Raymunda, Barangay Kapitan Ramon in Silay City, Negros Occidental during a peace dialogue on Monday (Aug. 23, 2021). The village is the site of the encounter between government troops and New People’s Army rebels on Aug. 20, where two communist terrorists and a soldier were killed. (Photo courtesy of 79th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

Residents of the far-flung Hacienda Raymunda in Barangay Kapitan Ramon, Silay City have received various forms of assistance during a peace dialogue and community outreach initiated by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) and its partner-groups on Monday.

The village in northern Negros Occidental is the site of the encounter between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Aug. 20, where two communist terrorists and a soldier were killed.

In a statement on Tuesday, village chief Ronie Aguirre thanked the 79IB soldiers for foiling the extortion activities and ruthless acts of the NPA that have brought fear among his constituents.

During the activity, the residents were able to air issues and concerns for appropriate action of concerned local and national agencies and were oriented on the deceptive schemes of the communist-terrorists to agitate, organize and mobilize potential recruits.

They also watched films on former members who left the armed struggle and listened to talks that shed light on the recent encounter and the current security situation in their community.

Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, commanding officer of 79IB, urged village residents to work with them in “unmasking the true character” of the communist-terrorists and prevent their recovery efforts in northern Negros to finally put an end to the local armed conflict.

“We call on you to remain vigilant and report any presence of armed group to the authorities to stop them from staging more terror. Let us build peaceful and progressive communities that are inhospitable to the presence of any threat group,” he added.

Troops of 79IB engaged the communist-terrorists in the morning of Aug. 20 in response to the locals’ call for assistance on the presence of armed men, which were later identified as remnants of the NPA’s Northern Negros Front.

After the peace dialogue, residents received food items and essential goods.

The activity was initiated by the 79IB together with the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Philippine National Police, City of Silay headed by Mayor Mark Golez, RYU Foundation Inc., and the Lacson family, owner of Hacienda Raymunda.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1151465