AFP says Visayas cleared from all rebel-infested communities

 Posted to the Negros Now Daily (Feb 5, 2024): AFP says Visayas cleared from all rebel-infested communities (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Visayas Command (Viscom) has declared that all New People’s Army (NPA)-infested communities in Visayas have already been cleared and dismantled all of its mass bases.

In a statement, Viscom chief Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, however, said they cannot afford to be complacent.

There are still remnants of the NPA that should be pursued as they remain to be a threat to peace and stability in the region and capable of sowing fear and terror, he added.

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has eyed to recommend declaring Negros Island in a state of “stable internal peace and security” by the end of the first quarter after it has dismantled all the five NPA guerilla fronts in the island.

Viscom supervises two Army divisions, including the 3rd Infantry Division in Western and Central Visayas and the 8th Infantry Division in Eastern Visayas, as well the as Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy in Visayas region.

Viscom has reported that it continues to deliver crushing blows to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA since last month.

It conducted 20 focused military operations that resulted in 10 government-initiated encounters, with a staggering 50 percent hit factor in the campaign against the CPP-NPA, which it attributed to the active support of the people.

During the period, it has neutralized 13 more NPA rebels, of which five died in encounters, five others surrendered, and three had been arrested while 14 more firearms have been confiscated.

Arevalo urged the CPP-NPA remnants to choose the path of peace while they still can. | GB

https://negrosnowdaily.com/afp-says-visayas-cleared-from-all-rebel-infested-communities/