From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 9, 2023): 4 NPA guerilla fronts dismantled in Negros Island (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)
Four of the five New People’s Army guerilla fronts in Negros Island have been declared “dismantled” by the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, following focused military operations without let up against the NPA since 2018.In his report to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his recent visit to Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison,3ID commander, reported that eight active NPA guerilla fronts in Negros and Panay has been reduced to three, which they also declared as “weakened.”
Sison also reported that 3ID infantry units figured in 73 armed encounters with the NPA in Negros, Panay and Bohol, of which six were major armed engagements that resulted in the neutralization of 137 rebel personalities, 11 of whom were top leaders of the NPA, and the recovery 118 firearms from January to October this year.
“With strong partnership, cooperation and collaboration with our stakeholders, let us continue to work together towards our goal of declaring our area of operations free from the influence of the communist terrorist group (CTG) the soonest time possible,” said the 3ID commander.
Lt. Col. J Jay Javines, 3ID Civil Military Operations chief, yesterday said that the Central Negros (CN) 1 and Central Negros (CN) 2 of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siqujior were added to the list of guerilla fronts declared as dismantled.
The forces of CN1 and CN2, respectively known also as Leonardo Panaligan Command and Mt Cansermon Command, have been reduced to a squad sized unit, composed of about 10 members each.
Javines said they are now waiting a resolution from the Joint Peace Security and Coordinating Committee (JPSCC), which is composed of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police, to formalize the declaration of CN1 and CN2 as dismantled guerilla fronts.
In previous years, the JPSCC also declared the South East and Northern Negros Fronts of KR NCBS as dismantled.
Declaring a guerilla front as dismantled does not necessarily mean that they will cease their operations against the NPA remnants, which he admitted will be a challenge for them hunt down, since they are now composed of a smaller group.
On October 6, soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion encountered CN 2 remnants and the Regional Striking Force of KR NCBS in Brgy. Santol, Binalbagan, that resulted in the recovery of an M60 machine gun and a .30 caliber Bolt action sniper rifle, assorted ammunition, and a rifle grenade, among other items.
Javines said the three remaining NPA guerilla fronts up for dismantling are the South West Front of KR NCBS in southern Negros, as well as Southern and Central Front of Komiteng Rehiyonal Panay.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier expressed his optimism that Western Visayas may soon be declared “insurgency free,” because of the declining strength and support to the remnants of the New People’s Army, since 2019.
“Hinihintay ko ang imbitasyon ninyo na makabalik ako dito sa 3ID para ideklara ang area na ito, insurgent-free. (I will wait for your invitation for me to return to 3ID, to declare this area as insurgent-free). Go ahead, keep up the good work, keep working, we will get there in the end” the President, in his message to the 3ID troops, said.
Maj. Gen Sison expressed his gratitude to the President for recognizing the dedicated efforts and achievements of 3ID.
“We are indeed fortunate that our President visited us and acknowledged our efforts to end local communist armed conflict in Western and Central Visayas. More than his visit, may his words inspire all of us to work even harder to accomplish our mission,” Sison said.*
https://visayandailystar.com/4-npa-guerilla-fronts-dismantled-in-negros-island/
Sison also reported that 3ID infantry units figured in 73 armed encounters with the NPA in Negros, Panay and Bohol, of which six were major armed engagements that resulted in the neutralization of 137 rebel personalities, 11 of whom were top leaders of the NPA, and the recovery 118 firearms from January to October this year.
“With strong partnership, cooperation and collaboration with our stakeholders, let us continue to work together towards our goal of declaring our area of operations free from the influence of the communist terrorist group (CTG) the soonest time possible,” said the 3ID commander.
Lt. Col. J Jay Javines, 3ID Civil Military Operations chief, yesterday said that the Central Negros (CN) 1 and Central Negros (CN) 2 of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siqujior were added to the list of guerilla fronts declared as dismantled.
The forces of CN1 and CN2, respectively known also as Leonardo Panaligan Command and Mt Cansermon Command, have been reduced to a squad sized unit, composed of about 10 members each.
Javines said they are now waiting a resolution from the Joint Peace Security and Coordinating Committee (JPSCC), which is composed of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police, to formalize the declaration of CN1 and CN2 as dismantled guerilla fronts.
In previous years, the JPSCC also declared the South East and Northern Negros Fronts of KR NCBS as dismantled.
Declaring a guerilla front as dismantled does not necessarily mean that they will cease their operations against the NPA remnants, which he admitted will be a challenge for them hunt down, since they are now composed of a smaller group.
On October 6, soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion encountered CN 2 remnants and the Regional Striking Force of KR NCBS in Brgy. Santol, Binalbagan, that resulted in the recovery of an M60 machine gun and a .30 caliber Bolt action sniper rifle, assorted ammunition, and a rifle grenade, among other items.
Javines said the three remaining NPA guerilla fronts up for dismantling are the South West Front of KR NCBS in southern Negros, as well as Southern and Central Front of Komiteng Rehiyonal Panay.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier expressed his optimism that Western Visayas may soon be declared “insurgency free,” because of the declining strength and support to the remnants of the New People’s Army, since 2019.
“Hinihintay ko ang imbitasyon ninyo na makabalik ako dito sa 3ID para ideklara ang area na ito, insurgent-free. (I will wait for your invitation for me to return to 3ID, to declare this area as insurgent-free). Go ahead, keep up the good work, keep working, we will get there in the end” the President, in his message to the 3ID troops, said.
Maj. Gen Sison expressed his gratitude to the President for recognizing the dedicated efforts and achievements of 3ID.
“We are indeed fortunate that our President visited us and acknowledged our efforts to end local communist armed conflict in Western and Central Visayas. More than his visit, may his words inspire all of us to work even harder to accomplish our mission,” Sison said.*
https://visayandailystar.com/4-npa-guerilla-fronts-dismantled-in-negros-island/
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