BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB) were placed on “heightened alert” on March 30. Another clash between government forces and New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents transpired in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.
Police Colonel Romy Palgue, NOCPPO director, said the elite Special Action Force (SAF) clashed with rebels in Negros Oriental on Monday, which resulted to the death of two NPA members.
With the NPA’s major loss in Guihulngan City last week, both the NOCPPO and the 303IB believed the insurgents may be planning another attack on government forces, civilians and former rebels “as revenge.”
Palgue said he already ordered the police to further strengthen their monitoring in police stations and their intelligence community.
Army Colonel Michael Samson, acting commander of the 303IB, echoed Palgue.
Samson said it is difficult to say as to how many exactly are the remaining rebels in Negros as they are operating in four different fronts.
However, based on their latest intelligence, the NPA’s northern and central Negros fronts have been drastically reduced to platoon size numbering less than 30-40 insurgents.
Samson said these rebels are still operating in the boundary of Negros Occidental particularly in the town of Moises Padilla, with most of the skirmishes happening in Negros Oriental.
“Much of the central Negros front has already been decimated, but we still have to take care of the remnants,” he added.
Meanwhile, Samson confirmed that an NPA insurgent they arrested in the Guihulngan City clash was doing well at the Governor William Villegas Memorial Hospital in the said city.
The captured insurgent, identified as “Jojo,” revealed he was only 17 years old and a resident of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Samson said they are still validating the insurgent’s claims, but they have decided to hand him over to the Guihulngan City Social Welfare and Development office.
The teen was hit on the right leg after he engaged in a gun battle with government forces. To recall, at least 10 of his comrades died.
Samson added that six of the 10 fatalities have already been given a proper burial./PN
