BACOLOD CITY – The Joint Task Force Negros on anti-insurgency will conduct more combat operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army if they do not surrender.
Brig. Gen. Eric Vinoya, JTF-Negros commander, issued the warning to leaders and members of the communist group, following his earlier pronouncement that he will dismantle the northern Negros and central Negros fronts on Negros island by the end of this year.
“If you don’t surrender, expect more combat encounters in the next few weeks as all military units in Negros will be utilized to hunt you and hit you very hard,” Vinoya said, adding that rebels will suffer the full force of the law if they continue with the revolutionary movement.
“To save your life, you still have the chance to leave the armed movement and go back to the folds of law by enjoying the true freedom and different government basic services together with your loved ones,” he added.
Last Oct. 3, the Army 94th Infantry Battalion was conducting combat operations when they encountered 20 suspected NPAs in Sitio Cabangahan, Barangay Bantolinao, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental.
No soldiers were wounded in the 40-minute firefight but the Army reported undetermined number of casualties on the rebel side. (Glazyl Masculino)
