ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) had neutralized 141 high-ranking leaders and members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
To date, 77 rebels surrendered to the 3ID, eight were captured and 56 were killed in encounters.
There were also 162 firearms recovered, including 63 high-powered and 61 low-powered, while 38 were surrendered for safekeeping.
According to Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, spokesperson of 3ID, the recent seizure of firearms and neutralized rebels were the results of a series of encounters in Negros Island.
The 3ID units successfully neutralized eight rebels and seized 10 high-powered firearms.
Two were killed in a series of encounters between the troops of the 15th Infantry Battalion and the members of the weakened South West Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor in Sitio Cambaga, Barangay Yao-Yao in Cauayan town on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and six surrendered the next day.
Recovered were four M14 rifles, three M16 rifles, one M653 rifle, one M4 rifle, a Garand rifle, a .45 pistol, a homemade shotgun, and various war materials.
Also recovered were long and short magazines, ammunition, an anti-personnel mine with a blasting cap, two portable generators, bandoliers, medical paraphernalia, personal belongings, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.
Major General Marion Sison, 3ID commander, recently ordered to step up offensive operations against the rebels.
“Through our sustained collaboration with partners and stakeholders, we will relentlessly strive for genuine peace and progress in Western and Central Visayas. Your Army can only do so much; hence, we need the support of everyone, especially the local government units, in addressing the root causes of insurgency. Once and for all, let us all work together to put an end to local armed conflict and make the people savor and enjoy the dividends of peace they deserve,” Sison said./PN