Bacolod City – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson over the weekend said that he will check with the Philippine Army, if they have a list of local politicians and businessmen supporting the New People’s Army.
If indeed there is already a list, then they (Army) can take action, said Lacson, who presided over the 2nd quarter joint Provincial Peace and Order and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Councils meeting, held at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
During a security briefing of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, it was divulged that local politicians and businessmen, although not specifically mentioned which particular areas of Negros Occidental, are supporting the rebel group.
“While there are such reports, the question is, have they been identified?” Lacson said, as he re-echoed the sentiments of a mayor who attended the PPOC meeting.
The 303rd Infantry Brigade, in a security briefing, further said they initiated 15 encounters with NPA remnants in Negros, from March 1 up to last month, that resulted in the killing of 18 rebels, including top leader Rogelio Posadas, alias Ka Poten, the capture of two others, and the recovery of 37 assorted firearms.
In the same period, 17 rebels surrendered, including three amazons, military records further showed.
With the dismantling of Northern Negros Front, the 303rd Infantry Brigade is targeting to dismantle as soon as possible the Central Negros 1 and 2, as well as the South West Front, all under the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, which it considered as “weakened” due to a leadership vacuum and debacles they suffered in “focused military operations.”
Based on the security briefing of the Philippine Army, Lacson said “obviously, we are winning the war against the NPA,” although he noted attempts of the rebel group recover their lost territories. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)
