Col. Maximo Caro, 303 rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that the strength of the New People's Army in Negros continues to dwindle, and that has created demoralization in the hierarchy of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros.

Caro cited the recent capture of Arturo Moleta, secretary of the Kilusang Larangan-South West, and two others in Siaton and Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, respectively, the death of Jeofrie Vallejera, alleged intelligence officer of KR-Negros, and the surrender of three other rebel militiamen who also turned over three high-powered firearms in Himamaylan City .

Military records also showed that 11 th Infantry Battalion soldiers had recovered an M16 armalite rifle, two .45 caliber pistols, two fragmentation grenades from slain and captured rebels, after they encountered a group of rebels in Brgy. Planas, Guihulngan, early this week.

Caro said Frank Fernandez, secretary of KR-Negros, National Democratic Front and its allied organizations, have been demoralized by their losses, and are now in panic. “Their propaganda to arouse and solidify their mass base was proven ineffective because information that led to the capture of their members and the encounter in Guihulngan, came from their supporters,” he added.

Caro reiterated his call to NPA members, especially those who are already tired of fighting the government and want to reunite with their families, to return to the folds of law and avail of the Social Integration Program for rebel returnees.

A rebel returnee can receive as much as P120,000, if he or she also surrenders high-powered firearms.

Self-confessed NPA militiamen Warlito de la Cruz, Jonathan Pacheco and Juvy Casusa expect to receive P50,000 each, in exchange for the two M16 assault rifles and M1 garand rifle they had surrendered, aside from 70,000 each as immediate financial assistance and livelihood package, respectively.*GPB

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