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[av_heading heading=’NPA WIPED OUT BY 2018? Army to form another battalion in Panay ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017
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ILOILO City – The government is bent on wiping out the New People’s Army (NPA) in Panay Island before 2018 is over.
According to former Armed Forces chief of staff Eduardo Año who was here yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte decided to stop the peace negotiations because the rebels’ offensive operations have not ceased.
“Paano tayo makapag-usap if patuloy ang kanilang paninira at pagsusunog ng mga equipment,” said Año. “What our President wants is a ceasefire.”
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division based in Jamindan, Capiz will be creating a new battalion to address the insurgency in Panay Island, announced Brigadier General Pio Diñoso of the 301st Brigade.
“It will augment the existing battalions in Panay. We can complete this new battalion before 2018 ends,” said Diñoso.
Año, now undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, said the goal to is to end the insurgency in Panay before 2018 is over.
He urged rebels to better surrender peacefully. The government has a reintegration program that includes housing and livelihood, he said.
For strategic operational purposes, Diñoso declined to say where the new army battalion would be based in Panay Island.
The recruitment and training of new soldiers had actually started, said Diñoso.
The Army general, however, said the military and police alone could not end the insurgency. The community must participate in the effort, he stressed.
“Help us by giving information about the rebels,” Diñoso urged the people of Panay.
Año yesterday released financial assistance to 12 wounded policemen and the family of one dead cop that rebels ambushed in Maasin, Iloilo Friday last week.
If the rebels really cared about the country and its people, they should have shown sincerity in pursuing the peace talks, stressed Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla.
“Hopefully they come to their senses that their fight is hopeless. The Filipino people have already made themselves felt. Hindi na nila gusto ang ganitong kaguluhan dahil sila ang naaapektuhan,” said Padilla.
In his Proclamation 360 ending the peace talks, President Duterte cited the series of atrocities committed by the rebels against military and civilian targets in various parts of the country.
Around 64 soldiers, police officers and militiamen were killed while another 127 wounded in various attacks and ambushes this year alone, according to Padilla.
Prior to the Nov. 24 ambush in Maasin, New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked policemen in Sibalom, Antique on Nov. 22. Three were injured.
These two ambushes were owned up the Jose Percival Estocada Command of the NPA./PN
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