Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the New People’s Army is back to organizing activities aimed at regaining its lost mass bases in Negros Occidental.

This was his assessment after he noticed a lull in violent NPA activities, a month after an encounter in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, and the summary execution of a government militiaman in Isabela, Negros Occidental, Lactao said.

However, the NPA is confronting a problem about the lack of issues to use in getting back the sympathy of their former supporters, Lactao claimed.

The Commission on Human Rights reported that it has not recorded any complaint of human rights abuses lodged against the Philippine Army in 2011, and in the past five months of 2012, compared to previous years.

Col. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said they have monitored reports that the NPA is using the hinterlands of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, as the training ground for future cadres and red fighters of Bohol.

Patrimonio cited the revelations of two NPA members from Bohol, who had surrendered to the 302nd Infantry Brigade in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.* GPB

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