BACOLOD City – The top Philippine Army official in Western and Central Visayas ordered government troops to pursue a relentless battle against Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
“Fiercely hunt down these terrorists and bring them to justice,” Brigadier General Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) stressed.
He said soldiers should never back down from their resolve to serve the Filipinos as all military resources will be utilized to crush the “peace spoilers.
Vinoya, who concurrently heads the Joint Task Force Negros, made this statement following soldiers’ successful encounters against communist rebels last week.
He commended the troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion for their “gallantry in showcasing the might of the Army against the NPA” during the encounter in Barangay Cansalungon, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Friday afternoon.
The hour-long firefight left an NPA fighter dead and his comrade wounded. Seven suspected rebels were also arrested in the vicinity of the clash site, which also served as their hideout in Sitio Canlusong.
Soldiers recovered personal items such as clothes, slippers and rubber boots, hand-held radios, electrical wires as well as cooking utensils and food stuff.
Moreover, Vinoya reiterated his call to the remaining NPA fighters to return to the fold of the law before it’s too late.
“Surrender now or be killed. You cannot win the war against the government forces,” he added.
He said through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the government shows its sincere efforts to assist former rebels.
“We ensure the security and safety of those who will come down and we will help them return to the mainstream society and live a peaceful life,” Vinoya added.
The 3ID commander also lauded the Negrenses for their strong commitment to end insurgency in the island, following the series of resolutions by several towns and villages in Negros Occidental declaring the CPP-NPA persona non grata.
“Their coming out to signify their stand that for more than 50 years the NPA has not brought anything good, but chaos and perdition in the island sends a clear signal that these terrorists are no longer welcome in their communities,” Vinoya said. (With a report from PNA/PN)
