NEW ASSIGMENT. New soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, prepare for deployment to their companies in Negros Island on Wednesday (Jan.30, 2019) to help strengthen internal security. (Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army )
BACOLOD CITY -- A total of 220 troopers of the Philippine Army have been deployed to Negros Island to strengthen internal security operations.
Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said on Wednesday he welcomes the arrival of the additional troops that will boost their campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
He said that with a stronger Army force in the island, the troops will run more aggressively after the communist terrorists and prevent them from conducting atrocities and extortion activities.
“Our number is enough to pursue the NPA. With the support of the communities, local government units, and government agencies, the number will continue to grow until these terrorists will have no more to run to,” Arevalo said.
On Wednesday, 120 soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion’s Bravo Company arrived in Negros Oriental, coming from their six-month deployment with the 301st Infantry Brigade in Panay Island.
A total of 100 new soldiers, who underwent training with the 3rd Infantry Division in Jamindan, Capiz, were also recently assigned to the different Army battalions in Negros Island.
According to the 303rd Brigade, the deployment of 220 more troops in Negros is based on Malacañang’s Memorandum Order No. 32 issued on November 22, 2018.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea released the directive amid “sporadic acts of violence allegedly committed by lawless groups particularly in the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental and Occidental, and Bicol Region.” (PNA)
