Friday, February 2, 2024

AFP, PNP boost joint efforts vs insurgency in Visayas

Posted to Panay News (Feb 2, 2024): AFP, PNP boost joint efforts vs insurgency in Visayas (By Ruby P. Silubrico)


Private First Class Rodelo Alfanza, who died in Tubungan, Iloilo encounter, was laid to rest in a private cemetery in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Jan. 28, 2024. A gun salute was held to honor Alfanza’s committed and dedicated service to the Philippine Army and the nation. PHILIPPINE ARMY SPEARHEAD TROOPERS FACEBOOK PHOTO

ILOILO City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have bolstered cooperation to address the insurgency problem and maintain peace and order throughout the Visayas region.

Major General Marion Sison, commander of Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), and Major General Robert Rodriguez, chief of Area Police Command Visayas (APC), vowed to tighten their operations this year against insurgents.


Sison said they don’t want to kill rebels and they keep on convincing those in the mountains to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s livelihood program.

“But if they continue to refuse our offer to surrender peacefully, we have no choice but to run after them. We will hunt them until they realize na walang magandang patutungohan ang kanilang pakipaglaban,” the 3ID commander added.

According to the 3ID, for January alone they recorded five encounters – one in Iloilo and four in Negros island – that resulted in the death of four rebels and one surrenderer.

The government troops also seized four high-powered and four low-powered firearms.


However, one soldier died and another was wounded following an encounter with New People’s Army rebels in Barangay Igpaho, Tubungan, Iloilo on Jan. 17

The troops of the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion clashed with the members of
Puregold (SYP) Platoon, SPF, KR-Panay, led by Nahum “Bebong” Camariosa that resulted in the death of Private First Class Rodelo Alfanza and wounding of Sergeant Ernie Dionson.

Despite this, Rodriguez is optimistic that insurgency in the Visayas will be resolved soon especially with the cooperation of the community.


“Nagapati ako nga tanan may katapusan kag sooner ang mga rebelde nga ara sa mga bukid, maga-surrender. Madamo ang programa sang gobyerno para sa ila if ever mag-surrender kag mangabuhi sila sang malinong,” Rodriguez said.

Records from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) showed that for the month of January, 18 rebels had surrendered, four were arrested through arrest warrants and two were killed during operations.

The PRO-6 also seized a total of 20 firearms that include four high-powered and 16 low-powered guns./PN

https://www.panaynews.net/afp-pnp-boost-joint-efforts-vs-insurgency-in-visayas/

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