CLASH SITE. Soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion recover personal belongings and other items at the New People’s Army lair in Sitio Canlusong, Barangay Cansalungon in Isabela, Negros Occidental after an encounter on Friday afternoon (Nov. 22, 2019). The clash left an NPA fighter dead and his comrade wounded. (Photo courtesy of 62nd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY -- The top Philippine Army official in Western and Central Visayas urged government troops to be relentless in the pursuit of an end to the atrocities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
Brig. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said soldiers should never back down from their resolve to serve the Filipinos as all military resources will be utilized to crush the “peace spoilers”.
“Fiercely hunt down these terrorists and bring them to justice. The Constitution mandates the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect the people, and we will not be remiss with that mandate,” said Vinoya, who concurrently heads the anti-insurgency unit, Joint Task Force Negros, in a statement on Sunday.
He commended the troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion for their “gallantry in showcasing the might of the Army against the NPA” during the encounter in Barangay Cansalungon, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Friday afternoon.
The hour-long firefight left an NPA fighter dead and his comrade wounded. Seven suspected rebels were also arrested in the vicinity of the clash site, which also served as their hideout in Sitio Canlusong.
Soldiers recovered personal items such as clothes, slippers and rubber boots, hand-held radios, electrical wires as well as cooking utensils and food stuff.
Moreover, Vinoya reiterated his call to the remaining NPA fighters to return to the fold of the law before it’s too late.
“Surrender now or be killed. You cannot win the war against the government forces,” he added.
He said through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the government shows its sincere efforts to assist former rebels.
“We ensure the security and safety of those who will come down and we will help them return to the mainstream society and live a peaceful life,” Vinoya added.
The 3ID commander also lauded the Negrenses for their strong commitment to end insurgency in the island, following the series of resolutions by several towns and villages in Negros Occidental declaring the CPP-NPA persona non grata.
“Their coming out to signify their stand that for more than 50 years the NPA has not brought anything good, but chaos and perdition in the island sends a clear signal that these terrorists are no longer welcome in their communities,” Vinoya said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
