BACOLOD City – The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) has ordered its guerilla fronts in Negros Island to strengthen their tactical operations against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
This is in view of the Balikatan military exercises to be held in October in the towns of Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, and Candoni and cities of Kabankalan and Sipalay, according to Juanito Magbanua, spokesman of the NPA regional command.
Balikatan is an annual event that aims to enhance the interoperability of the United States and Philippine military forces that have a Mutual Defense Treaty.
Magbanua said the upland communities in Negros must be “defended” during the military exercises.
He added that tactical operations against police and soldiers will “weaken and demoralize” the AFP, which may prevent the Balikatan.
Magbanua also called on civilians to be vigilant. They must oppose the conduct of the Balikatan exercises for it will “displace communities and destroy forest covers of Negros,” he stressed./PN
