ILOILO City – “The war will continue against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).”
This was stressed by the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz after Friday last week’s encounter in Barangay Kapitan Ramon, Silay City, Negros Occidental that left a solider and two members of the NPA dead.
According to Major Cenon Pancito III, 3ID spokesperson, their operations are a way to honor their fallen comrade, Private First Class (PFC) Christopher Alada of Badiangan, Iloilo.
Alada was assigned at the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB).
Pancito said the 3ID has deployed more soldiers to conduct massive operations in the islands of Panay and Negros.
The two dead rebels, on the other hand, were Kerima Tariman and a certain “Pabling”, both members of the Northern Negros Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS).
“We, together with peace-loving Filipinos, are calling on rebel fighters to return to the fold of the law. You will never win against the government. You only have two choices. Surrender and live a normal life together with your families or be killed in battle,” he added.
The 79IB troopers encountered the team of Tariman early morning of Aug. 20. The rebels scampered to different directions leaving behind their wounded comrades.
Government forces recovered personal belongings and cooking utensils.
According to Pancito, Tariman and “Pabling” were notorious terrorists operating in Northern Negros, and were responsible for the series of extortion and intimidation activities there, the latest of which was the burning of construction equipment in Silay-EB Magalona in April.
Tariman was reportedly the secretary or the leader of the Northern Negros Front./PN
