There are politicians and businessmen providing support to the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental.
This was reported by the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade during the 2nd Quarter Joint Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting presided by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Social Hall of the Negros Occidental Capitol in Bacolod City on Friday, June 2.
Lacson said one mayor’s reaction was while there is such a report the question is have they identified the politicians or businessmen.
The governor said he will ask the Army if there are really names of those providing support to the NPA, or just suspects.
If indeed there is already a list then they can take action, he said.
Lacson also noted that the Philippine National Police reported that there are no private armies in Negros Occidentals.
“I really asked because this is the concern of the president to make sure that there are no private armies, especially since the barangay and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) elections are coming,” Lacson added.
The reports of the various law enforcement agencies at the meeting Friday were all positive, he said.
“The report of the Philippine Army was obviously we are winning the war against the CPP-NPA although there is an effort from their side to try to resurrect certain fronts,” the governor said.
The Army reported that there has been a significant reduction in the manpower and firepower of the NPA in Negros following a series of encounters.
A resolution was passed during the meeting seeking a P5 million grant from the Department of the Interior and Local Government for a halfway house for former NPA rebels.
This will be in addition to the P10 million already allocated by the provincial government for the halfway house to be built at the Negros Ranch in Murcia, Lacson said.*