Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – Amidst its enormous task of ensuring a safe, peaceful and orderly Barangay and SK Elections in the Visayas region, the Visayas Command (VISCOM) continues to deliver devastating blows against the CPP-NPA in the region, as the terrorist group scores heavy losses in October.
A total of eight government-initiated armed encounters transpired throughout the Visayas region in October which led to the neutralization of 28 NPA terrorists; three of whom died during the encounters while 25 NPA terrorists returned to the folds of the law. Of the 25 NPA terrorists who yielded to the government, 19 are regular members of the terrorist group while six are members of the Militia ng Bayan. These are apart from the 61 CPP-NPA supporters who denounced their support from the terrorist group and pledged their allegiance to the government.
Likewise, a total of 30 assorted firearms along with six anti-personnel mines were seized by the government troops during the period.
Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM expressed that their efforts against the CPP-NPA will never falter, saying: “Defeating the CPP-NPA in the Visayas region remains on top of our list amidst our mandate to support the COMELEC in ensuring the success of the recently concluded Barangay and SK Elections. Our efforts against the CPP-NPA will never falter, as we respond to the call of our people for just and lasting peace in the entire region.”
VISCOM’s focused military operations yielded significant results in the entire Visayas region during the period. In Western Visayas, it can be recalled that on October 6, an armed encounter transpired in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental between members of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the NPA’s weakened guerilla front, the Central Negros 1 (CN1) and Regional Striking Force (RSF) both of Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor (KR NCBS) which led to the recovery of one M60 Machine Gun, and one Cal. 30 Sniper Rifle.
Another encounter erupted on October 17 in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental between members of the 79th Infantry Battalion and the NPA’s weakened guerilla front, the Northern Negros Front (NNF) of KR NCBS. Two NPA terrorists were killed during the encounter, while a total of six firearms were seized including three M16 rifles; one (M14 rifle; one AR15 rifle; and one Garand Rifle.
Likewise, in Central Visayas on October 18, through the efforts of the 47th Infantry Battalion and the Provincial Government of Bohol, 61 members of the Hugpong Mag-uumang Bol-anon (HUMABOL) and Talibon-Trinidad Integrated Farmers Association (TTIFA), both a CPP-NPA affiliated people’s organizations, publicly denounced their support from the terrorist group and pledged their allegiance to the government, as they took an oath in front of Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado.
Meanwhile, in Eastern Visayas, an influx of surrenders transpired through the incessant localized peace engagement of the government troops. On October 17, seven NPA terrorists under the NPA’s Apoy Platoon of Sub-Regional Committee SESAME returned to the folds of the law through the efforts of the 78th Infantry Battalion. They revealed the location of an NPA arms cache which led to the recovery of four firearms comprising of two M16 rifles; one M14 rifle and one M653 Carbine.
This was followed by another set of surrenders on October 21, whereby three NPA terrorists from the same terrorist group returned to the folds of the law through the combined efforts of the 78th Infantry Battalion and 46th Infantry Battalion. They also yielded four firearms, comprising of three M16 rifles, and one AK47 rifle.
“Our efforts will be sustained and relentless. We will never stop until justice is served, and just and lasting peace is achieved. As for the few remaining members of the CPP-NPA, Christmas is fast approaching, just imagine your families and loved ones and how happy they will be to celebrate the season with you. Choose the path of peace and return to the folds of the law now, while you still can,” he said.
