Army looks to destroying dismantled guerilla fronts in Negros

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 7, 2024): Army looks to destroying dismantled guerilla fronts in Negros (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade is looking forward for the complete destruction of dismantled New People’s Army guerilla fronts in Negros Island, whose remnants are reported to be roaming around hinterland areas, where presence of government troops is minimal.

Each dismantled guerilla front, including its regional striking force, have five to nine remaining armed members, according to the Philippine Army.

The 303rd Infantry Brigade supervises the 79th Infantry Battalion in northern Negros, 62nd and 94th Infantry Battalions in central Negros, while the 11th, 15th, and 47th Infantry Battalions in southern Negros are under the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade.

The Northern Negros Front was declared dismantled in 2021, followed by Central Negros 1 and 2 in 2023, while the South West Front and Regional Striking Force of Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros was also declared dismantled in February and June this year, respectively.

In its September 5 report, the 303rd Infantry Brigade said the NPA remnants are now highly mobile and continue to evade the focused military operations launched against them, while they are struggling to conduct recovery efforts.

“The security situation in Negros Occidental is generally peaceful and manageable, which greatly improved after a series of focused military operations, and whole of nation approach activities and programs of the government were conducted, especially in rebel affected areas”, it said.

With ELCAC programs and projects continuing to contribute in addressing the root causes of insurgency, the Philippine Army said it also thwarted the attempt of rebel remnants to recover their lost territories.

The Provincial Task Force ELCAC programs have been proven successful by providing socio economic opportunities to former rebels, further isolating the rebel remnants from their former mass base, the Army added.

PTF ELCAC is chaired by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.*

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