Army chief vows protection versus rising NPA atrocities

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 10): Army chief vows protection versus rising NPA atrocities

While the Philippine Army is supporting the revival of peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front, Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista yesterday vowed to protect communities from atrocities perpetrated by the New People’s Army

Bautista, who met yesterday with Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. at the Provincial Capitol, said they have contingency plans to thwart NPA violent activities, while peace talks are ongoing

About 20 suspected NPA rebels swooped down on a project site of the National Irrigation Administration Monday night in Brgy. Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, and burned heavy equipment, construction materials, and a bunk house of workers.

Estimated damage has been placed by the Bureau of Fire and Protection at P6.8 million.

Capt. Ruel Llanes, spokesperson of the 303 rd Infantry Brigade, said the burning incident was triggered by the failure of the NIA contractor tasked to construct a dam in the area, to comply with the NPA extortion demands.

The Philippine Army in Negros slammed the latest atrocity committed by communist rebels.

The peace talks between the Philippine government and NDF collapsed three times during the Duterte administration due to violations committed by the CPP-NPA, Bautista said.

Bautista also said he is hopeful that the conditions set by President Duterte, for the resumption of peace talks will be followed by the CPP-NPA-NDF leadership.

If the president tells us to negotiate and observe the peace talks, we will abide, he said.

But the mandateof the Philippine Army to ensure the security of communities and barangays will continue, he added.

The 15th Infantry Battalion is now spearheading the manhunt operations against the fleeing rebels.

Last month, the NPA also claimed responsibility for the burning of a farm tractor in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and a cargo truck in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, for failure of their owners to pay revolutionary taxes.

As to the return of 82nd and 11th Infantry Battalions to Panay and Negros, respectively, Bautista said they are now giving priority to the communist threat in the area of Eastern Mindanao Command and the local terrorist group in the area of the Western Mindanao Command.

“We are now assessing the situation,and I think we are gaining headway. We are meeting the targets,” Bautista added.

Hopefully, the third quarter of the year will pave the way for the pull-out of Army battalions of the 3ID to be brought back to Panay, he said.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/May/10/topstory5.htm