Anim na naman na armadong galamay ng Communist Party of the Philippine-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) ang napatay ng mga tauhan ng militar matapos ang panibagong sagupaan sa Negros Occidental.
Ayon kay AFP-Visayas Command (VISCOM) chief Lt. General Benedict Arevalo matapos ang major setback sa hanay ng Communist Terrorist Group sa Bohol; may anim ulit na New People’s Army ang na neyutralisa ng kanyang mga tauhan nang masabat nila ang may sampung armadong New Peoples Army sa isinagawang focused military operation.
Sa ulat patay ang anim na NPA nang masabat sila ng mga tauhan ng 47th Infantry Battalion na nasa ilalim ng 302nd Infantry Brigade ng Joint Task Force (JTF) Spear, sa Brgy Tabugon, Kabankalan City sa Negros Occidental kamakalawa ng gabi.
Sinasabing ang mga nasasakupang NPA ay mga natitirang kasapi ng weakened South West Front (SWF) sa ilalim ng Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR NCBS).
Nakuha naman sa clearing operation matapos ang engkwentro ang apat na cal. 45 pistols; isang cal. 38 Pistol; isang hand grenade; mga magazines; mga live ammunition para sa cal. 45 at cal. 38 pistols; walong mobile phones at mga personal belongings.
Sinasabing ang encounter ay resulta ng intelligence information na nagmula sa mga residente sa komunidad hinggil sa presensya ng mga armadong kalalakihan na nagsasagawa ng kanilang extortion activities at planong paglikida sa mga AFP personnel na nagsasagawa ng Community Support Programs (CSP) sa lugar.
Ayon kay General Arevalo “Our relentless focused military operations will continue to further drive the CPP-NPA on the brink of irreversible collapse. This series of setbacks suffered by the terrorist group is a manifestation that they continue to lose their grip on the people in the region, as their recovery efforts continue to fail.”
“We are bent on ending the local communist armed conflict in the region the soonest possible time. As the Barangay and SK Elections is fast approaching, we will not allow the CPP-NPA to use the upcoming electoral process as an avenue for their resurgence. Thus, we will remain highly committed and motivated in pursuing these terrorists until they are defeated, ” dagdag pa ni Lt Gen Arevalo.
Nanawagan pa ang heneral sa mga nalalabing NPA “You are at the losing end. Return to the folds of the law now while you still have the chance. Resist and you will surely suffer the same fate as your fallen comrades.”
