Aying: Neg. Occ. bounty offer may be replicated nationwide

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 24): Aying: Neg. Occ. bounty offer may be replicated nationwide

Bounties funded by Negrenses for the neutralization of New People's Army rebels and ISIS-linked local terrorists or extremists, may be replicated at the national level, Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, commanding general of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, said yesterday.

Negrenses recently pooled resources to fund bounties for the neutralization of New People's Army rebels and ISIS-linked local terrorists or extremists, who may attempt to penetrate Negros island, he said.

Concerned Negrenses are giving P100,000 each for every NPA “combatant” neutralized, dead or alive, Aying added.

The giving of bounties to neutralize communist rebels in Negros was denounced by progressive lawmakers and organizations, saying it will worsen cases of human rights violations.

Aying said he already anticipated such reaction from CPP-NPA supporters.

He justified the offering of rewards to NPA combatants, adding that even Frank Fernandez, reported to be the head of CPP-NPA in Negros, has a P7 million reward for his arrest.

His followers should also have rewards, Aying,who conducted an orientation yesterday for Negros Occidental mayors and barangay officials on the war against terrorism and how to prevent it in their areas, said.

It will also discourage those who may attempt to join them, he added.

The military estimates that there are now about 200 NPA members operating in Negros.

Aying said that they have received information on the movements of the NPA, which they are now validating.

Once the operation is successful and there are no more NPA members to neutralize, that is when we will give the reward to the informants, he added.

Aying also said that they are now ironing out the mechanism for giving the rewards to informants, while ensuring transparency.

The money is there and available anytime, he added.

Aying also encouraged the creation of task forces in the towns or cities, down to the barangay level, to prevent violent activities in their areas.

Task Force Buglas is now operational in Negros Occidental, after its creation through an executive order issued by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Aying said the Masa Masid program of the Department of Interior and Local Government can be part of the anti-terrorism program.

What is important on the part of local governments and chief executives is the political will to implement the programs, in order to secure their communities from all threats, he added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/August/24/topstory1.htm