Bacolod City – Remnants of the New People’s Army in Negros have two options: surrender or die fighting a lost cause.
This was the message of Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander, to NPA remnants in Negros, following the mass surrender of 12 armed rebels belonging to the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF) of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, to the 79th Infantry Battalion.
Among the 12 former rebels include the NNF secretary, whose identity is being withheld by the 3ID for security reasons.
Last week, six NPA rebels also died in an encounter with 47th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Brgy. Tabugon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
“This is your chance to use the time to surrender, for the government is always willing to extend a helping hand to get all of you on the right path,” Sison said.
On the other hand, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Visayas Command has issued a stern warning against allies and accomplices of the CPP-NPA, following the filing of a complaint against a people’s organization in Cebu by Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 302nd Infantry Brigade.
“They cannot hide under the guise of cause-oriented and advocacy support groups forever. The law will not turn a blind eye to their deception, corruption, and terrorist acts,” Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, Viscom chief, said in a statement.
Aiding, conspiring, and providing financial support to the terrorist group is a crime punishable under our law, Arevalo added. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)
