The commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division on Tuesday, May 20, urged troops in Negros Oriental to sustain operations against New People’s Army (NPA) remnants to prevent recruitment activities.
Maj. Gen. Michael Samson issued his call during the change of command ceremony of the 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) in Barangay Salag, Siaton, south Negros Oriental.
Samson officiated the 11IB’s turnover of command from Lt. Col. Michael Aquino to the new battalion commanding officer, Lt. Sol Zaulda.
“We cannot be complacent because we know that by the nature of the revolutionary movement if you neglect them, they usually take advantage of the situation where troops are absent,” Samson said.
Samson said Negros Oriental is fortunate that there is only a handful of remnants from the NPA’s South Eastern Front but the Army is monitoring the boundaries with Negros Occidental where the South Western Front is operating.
“I am giving instructions to the 11th IB to continue with the patrols, the visitation (of communities), and security operations in the hinterlands of Negros Oriental just to make sure that the NPA can no longer regain their strongholds,” he added.
He called on the remaining NPA members of the dismantled guerilla fronts in Negros Island to abandon the armed struggle and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which allows them to reintegrate in society and start a fresh life.
Aquino was cited for the battalion’s accomplishments the past two years while said he will continue his predecessor’s gains.
Zaulda told reporters that he will sustain the current programs and projects of the battalion, which he describes as a big challenge, while he adjusts to his new assignment.
Meanwhile, the support of government agencies and local government units is vital for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to sustain its momentum, Samson said.
He said that even if the NTF-ELCAC is not under the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the collaboration continues.
“Sometimes they (stakeholders) may not be very vocal about bragging about their achievements, but we can say that they are working with us and helping us,” Samson said.
For instance, government agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways ask the Army which unreachable and seemingly neglected areas could benefit from government road projects, he said.
“We are closely coordinating with them and I can assure you that NTF-ELCAC still exists,” Samson said, adding that he hopes for the support of newly elected and reelected leaders.*PNA