156 NPA rebels ‘neutralized’ in the Visayas

From Malaya Business Insight (Jul 3, 2023): 156 NPA rebels ‘neutralized’ in the Visayas (By Victor Reyes)

A TOTAL of 156 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have been “neutralized” in the Visayas during the first semester of the year, the military’s Visayas Command (Visayas) reported.

Forty-two of the insurgents died in encounters with government troops, 103 surrendered and 11 were apprehended during law enforcement operations, said Viscom spokesman Lt. Col. Israel Galorio.

Sixty-one of the rebels were neutralized in April and May. One of the notable encounters during the two-month period led to the death of seven rebels in Bobon, Northern Samar last April 30.

Galorio said 223 assorted firearms and 82 anti-personnel mines were seized by the troops from the rebels.

He said 12 of the 156 neutralized rebels were “high-value” individuals, including Rogelio Posadas, secretary of Komiteng Rehiyon Negros who died in a clash in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental last April 20.

He said 942 people’s organizations were “established, redirected and copted” by community support program teams of Viscom from January 1 to June 30.

Viscom commander Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo commended the troops for the successful campaign against the NPA and urged them to sustain efforts to finally end communist insurgency in the Visayas.

“The way I see things that you have been doing for the past six months, I can say that you have done your best,” said Arevalo.

“Let us sustain our gains and continue doing our best to end the local communist armed conflict in the Visayas region, at the soonest possible time,” said Arevalo.

Arevalo also said people’s support is “vital to end the reign of terror in the region.

“As we sustain our focused military operations to prevent the CPP-NPA from taking advantage of the upcoming Barangay and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) elections, let us also continue engaging our people,” said Arevalo.

Arevalo said the public should be enlightened “on the evils brought by the CPP-NPA.”

“Let us encourage them to cast their vote for someone who advocates peace and development, who values the ideals of family, and someone who can lead them to prosperity and progress. Not those who sow terror and violence and support the false ideology of the CPP-NPA,” said Arevalo.

https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/156-npa-rebels-neutralized-in-the-visayas/