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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Government, Reds clash in Negros, Iloilo

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Fighting erupted on two fronts in Negros Occidental and Iloilo between security forces and New People’s Army rebels, resulting in the wounding of a soldier and scores of casualties on the rebel side on Thursday and Friday, officials said.

The fighting broke out after the rebels attacked the patrol base of the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Sitio Camanggahan, in Hilamonan village Kabankalan City around 7:50 p.m. on Thursday.

The soldiers manning the detachment engaged the  rebels in a firefight that lasted for 20 minutes. 

Meanwhile, the Interior department on Friday said the communist movement was in a sharp decline following the surrender of 8,367 communist rebels since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016.

Acting Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said 1,117 had been granted benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, the primary components of Balik Loob Program of the Duterte administration.

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Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the military might not be able to wipe out the communist rebels within the next three years, but they would most likely be reduced to a simple peace-and-order problem.

He made the statement following Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison’s claim that the government would not be able to defeat the New People’s Army within the next three years.

“We may not be able to finish them off completely to the last man but we can reduce them into a purely police problem,” Lorenzana told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.

Capt. Seragon, commander of the Bravo Company of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, informed the nearby military post of the attack. Reinforcemenst arrived, forcing the attackers to withdrew towards  Buenavista Himamaylan City where an NPA encampment was seized on Jan. 1.

The attack prompted Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, to remind his troops on the alert for possible renewed NPA attacks.

 “Once again I remind the troops to be more aggressive and vigilant at all times and encourage the civilian populace to continuously support government forces and report any NPA activities to prevent terroristic activities in the community,” Arevalo said.

In Iloilo, a contingent of Scout Rangers from the 61st Infantry Battalion led by Lt. De Vera figured in fierce fighting with 30 terrorists in Sitio Tigmahan, Alomodias village in Miagao town Friday morning.

Reports said the troops were on combat patrol when they encountered the 30 rebels and fighting ensued.

In Sultan Kudarat, meanwhile, Esperanza municipal Mayor Helen Latog handed over 32 assorted firearms to military officials in Esperanza town on Friday morning. With PNA”‹

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