BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – One of the commanders of the Philippine Army in Negros Island wasn’t surprised that the local New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents rejected outright the government’s proposal for localized peace talks.
Colonel Michael Samson, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde), said NPA rebels in Negros were “puppets” of the central committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Samson said the NPA’s rejection of peace is also a proof that they do not want to resolve problems in Negros.
Despite the rejection, however, he said the door remains open for other small NPA groups operating in the island who want a way out of the conflict and resolve their problems on the negotiating table instead.
He also said government forces in Negros will continue making sure the province remains safe and peaceful for everyone.
Earlier this week, the NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command rejected the peace terms and threatened to mount tactical offensives against government forces.
Samson already warned previously that the 303IBde will mercilessly hunt the NPA rebels if they refused the government’s peace offers.
Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, meanwhile, issued an appeal to the rebels to lay down their arms and benefit from the programs of the government./PN
