By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said it is intensifying its internal security operation (ISO) in Panay Island, particularly in the central part.
The move is in consonance with 3rd ID’s goal to topple the New People’s Army’s Central Front before the end of 2020 or early 2021.
“That’s why, it is expected that there would be more operations in that area because that’s our plan – to dismantle the Central Front,” Major Cenon Pancito, 3rd ID spokesperson, said.
Central Front mainly covers the municipality of Maasin, Lambunao, Janiuay, and Calinog in Iloilo; and Tapaz in Capiz province.
Pancito said the NPA’s Central Front has around 60 combatants.
An NPA group could be considered as a front if it has at least 50 members.
“We don’t say that we would make it down to zero. Our goal here is to dismantle the front. And we’re getting there,” he said.
On Thursday, troops from the 12th Infantry Battalion and suspected NPA members had an encounter at Barangay Nayawan, Tapaz town.
The troopers were about to conduct Community Support Program (CSP) activities at Nawayan when the clash happened.
A Private First Class (PFC) was hurt during the clash.
The firefight lasted for about 15 minutes after the rebels scampered to different directions.
Soldiers are not discounting the possibility that there are rebels who might have been wounded during the encounter.
Pancito assured that the incident has only strengthened their resolve to clear the area against the communist-terrorist group (CTG).
Despite the rebels’ scuttling of the peace initiatives, he assured that the Community Support Program will still continue to bring the government closer to the people through fast and unhampered delivery of services.
Tapaz Mayor Roberto “Nonong” Palomar condemned the attack on the Army troopers at Nayawan.
Palomar said the incident proves that the rebels don’t want peace and progress in the town.
He said that despite the effort of the administration to bring the government closer to the people, especially in the upland and hinterland areas of Tapaz, the rebels ignored it. (With a report from Felipe V. Celino)
