76 NPA members neutralized this year

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 18, 2022): 76 NPA members neutralized this year (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reported to have neutralized 76 members of the New People’s Army in Negros and Panay Islands, who were either killed or captured in gunbattles, or surrendered to the authorities, this year from January up to July 14.

At the same time, the 25 encounters initiated by various infantry units of 3ID also resulted in the seizure of firearms, among other war materials.

The latest encounter was on July 14 where combined units of the 15th and 47th Infantry Battalions figured in a clash with about 10 NPA rebels in Sitio Hanot, Barangay Inayawan, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, that resulted in the recovery of a caliber .45 pistol and an improvised explosive device (IED), among other materials.

A week earlier, four suspected NPA rebels died in an encounter in Brgy. Santol Binalbagan, while a top-ranking female rebel leader was also captured, military records show.

That encounter was preceded by the surrender to the 94th Infantry Battalion of 19 rebel combatants of Central Negros 2, who are comrades of the four rebels slain in Binalbagan.

In a statement, Major Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, lauded the local populace for giving correct and timely information to the operating troops.

“The willingness of the local populace in helping the soldiers by giving noteworthy information on the whereabouts of these NPA terrorists is a great help to our continuous campaign to end local communist armed conflict in Negros Island,” Arevalo said.

In recognition of the bravery and boldness of the operating troops for pressing the fight, to sustain just and lasting peace on the Island of Negros, Arevalo awarded Military Merit Medals to 36 soldiers of the 94IB, and four police personnel, for the neutralization of four rebels during the Binalbagan encounter.

Similar medals were also given to 20 members of the 79th Infantry Battalion for the capture of a second highest leader of the dismantled Northern Negros, and Bronze Cross Medals for six women soldiers of 94IB, for the surrender of rebel combatants.

https://visayandailystar.com/76-npa-members-neutralized-this-year/