The National Democratic Front-Negros yesterday claimed that the military failed to destroy the guerilla base of the New People’s Army in northern Negros, despite its sustained combat operations and Civil Military Operations-related projects being implemented by the Oplan Bayanihan campaign and the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit.

Instead, the strength of the NPA not only increased, but it also managed to expand its mass bases in northern Negros, NDF spokesperson Frank Fernandez said in a statement he issued to the media.

Earlier the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade had described as “successful” the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit peace and development initiatives in conflict-affected communities in the 1st and 5th district of Negros Occidental.

Fernandez said the transfer of “Marching for Peace, Serving the Countryside” activities from the 1st district to 5th district of Negros Occidental is a desperate attempt of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, to give foreign capitalists and investors a free hand in pushing their business interests in the area.

The Marching for Peace is a grandiose display of terrorism in the 5th district, he added.

Aying had earlier attributed the success of the peace and development activities to the unity of government officials, working in tandem with civil society groups, church, non-government and people’s organizations.

Meanwhile, Fernandez said the Sugarcane Industry Development Act, being proposed by Rep. Alfredo Benitez and the Sugar Industry road map, will serve only the interest of the landlords in Negros Occidental.*GPB

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