The atrocious plans and activities of the New People’s Army in southern Negros are desperate moves to preserve its waning organization and continuing defeat, Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said yesterday.

Military records show that suspected NPA burned heavy equipment of a construction firm in Cauayan town last month.

The Armando Sumayang Command said, in a statement it issued, said that the assumption of Lt. Col. Pompeyo Jason Almagro as the new commander of the 47th Infantry Battalion in southern Negros will be met with tactical offensives.

Despite the continued military operations to protect the Philex mining, Andrea Guerrero, spokesperson of the Armando Sumayang Command, said the people of the 6th district are up in arms against the destructive operations of the mining firm.

Guerrero claimed that the predecessor of Almagro, Lt. Col. Ariel Reyes, was reportedly relieved for his failure to dismantle the South West Front, despite the implementation of the IPSP (Internal Peace and Security Plan) Bayanihan, and the surrender of alleged NPA members, among other others.

Tiongson, however, said that the Philippine Army continues to be effective in implementing the IPSP Bayanihan in southern Negros, especially in addressing the social and economic issues in the hinterland villages.

The 3ID earlier praised the leadership of Reyes for maintaining its records of zero human rights violations, and for successfully “winning the peace” campaign in southern Negros.

Tiongson said the Philippine Army remains committed to ensure the safety and security of the people, and will protect them from any atrocity.* GPB

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