[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Hungry rebels resort to extortion – Army’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
Thursday, February 23, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
ILOILO City – Rebels going hungry in the mountains have resorted to extortion, according to the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).
Their targets include construction companies, politicians, businessmen and even marginal farmers in hinterland villages, said Lieutenant Colonel Ericson Rosana, 3ID spokesperson.
He estimated the rebels’ total strength in Panay Island at 150 cadres and 200 in Negros Island.
Do not give in to the New People’s Army’s demands or threats, Rosana urged the public.
Instead, report immediately to the police and the military, he stressed.
“Giving in to the rebels’ demands is tolerating their illegal activity,” warned Rosana.
He stressed the importance of strengthening the ties of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the community.
The people are the Armed Force’s best sources of information on the movements of rebels, he explained.
He confirmed that the 3ID based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz is on heightened alert for rebel offensives most especially in far-flung villages.
The 3ID has over 5,000 regular personnel backed by at least 4,000 Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGUs).
Just this Feb. 7, rebels detonated an improvised explosive device in Barangay Tacayan, Tapaz, Capiz, killing an Army corporal and wounding two others.
Right after the explosion, an estimated 40 NPA cadres fired their guns at some 20 soldiers responding to reports that armed men were in the hinterland village.
The 29-year-old Corporal Ricky Bill Farinas of Dumarao, Capiz was killed in action. His two wounded companions were Sergeant William Viaro and Private First Class Donald Lisbo. They were all members of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB).
This was the second time 61IB troops clashed with rebels this month. The first was on Feb. 4 in the remote village of Cabatangan in Lambunao, Iloilo.
According to the 61IB, the NPA took advantage of the unilateral ceasefire of the government to recruit more members since August last year. President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the ceasefire early this month, accusing the rebels of killing state forces.
On Feb. 1 rebels fired guns in the hinterland barangay of Boloc in Tubungan, Iloilo some 250 meters away from where Philippine Army soldiers of the 82nd Infantry Battalion were staying.
Recently, 3ID chief, Major General Jon Aying welcomed 200 new soldiers to its fold. They successfully completed six months of rigid training – Candidate Soldier Course and Jungle Warfare Mountain Operation Course.
“The training provided the soldiers with the basic knowledge and skills on soldiery, developed their character worthy to become members of the Armed Forces, and prepared them to perform duties as riflemen and automatic riflemen of infantry squads,” said Rosana.
Aside from Panay Island, some of the soldiers would be assigned to Bohol and Negros Occidental.
Aying reminded the new soldiers to always uphold military professionalism./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
