Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said the peace and order situation in the hinterlands of Calatrava, site of recent encounters between government troopers and New People’s Army rebels, is now back to normal.

Lactao said the security concerns raised by various sectors of society have been addressed by the Peace and Order Council chaired by Mayor Araceli Somosa.

He also said they do not want to resort to the use of guns, because there is no winner in an armed conflict.

Lactao, however, said they cannot ignore reports of civilians about the presence of armed rebels in their areas, or they could be held liable for negligence.

He added that they strictly uphold the rules of engagement, and that, “It is better that the NPA may able to escape rather than innocent persons may be hurt.”

Two rebels were killed, while an Army soldier was slightly injured in a series of armed clashes in the hinterland barangays of Macasilao, Hinab-ongan, Malatas, all in Calatrava, military records showed.

Calatrava Councilor Clodualdo Dedicatoria, in an interview with DYEZ Aksyon Radyo, expressed fears that the continuing gunbattles in hinterlands may affect the tourism industry, business climate, among others, of the town.

Classes in the Caltrava hinterland barangays where the armed skirmishes took place, had been suspended temporarily as parents are afraid to send their children to school, for fear that they may be caught in the crossfire.

Dedicatoria asked the military to use, if possible, left hand efforts in the addressing the insurgency problem and also urged high ranking government officials to intervene or mediate for the holding of localized peace talks.

Lactao said 90 percent of their efforts are geared towards the implementation of peace and development activities in the hinterlands of northern Negros, especially in Toboso, Calatrava and Escalante, under the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan”, with 10 percent combat operation.

Following the series of gunbattles, Lactao said the NPA splintered into small groups, and are now avoiding clashes with soldiers, as they were reported to be running out of ammunition.

He added that numerous rebels who were injured in the gunbattles in northern Negros, now badly need full medical attention, in order to survive.*GPB

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