156 NPAs neutralized, 223 firearms seized in Visayas in 1H of '23 — VisCom
Military operations in the first half of 2023 have resulted to the arrest, death, or surrender of 156 New People's Army (NPA) rebels and seizure of 223 firearms in Visayas, the military said Sunday, July 2.
*(Photo: Visayas Command)
* Lt. Gen Benedict Arevalo, commander of Visayas Command (VisCom), said a total of 103 rebels have surrendered, 42 died, and 11 others have been arrested in various military offensives from January 1 to June 30. Meanwhile, there were 223 firearms and 82 anti-personnel mines that were seized by the government troops during the operations. Among those neutralized were Rogelio Posadas, the alleged secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR NCBS) Arevalo said that Posadas died in an encounter with the elements of the 94th Infantry Battalion and 62nd Infantry Battalion against the NPA's KR NCBS last April 20 in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. Arevalo presented the VisCom's "accomplishments" during a recent command conference at Camp Lapulapu in Cebu City. "I would like to congratulate everyone for a very good job for the 1st semester of 2023. The exceptional performance that you have shown manifests your strong desire and motivation to serve and protect our people and end the local communist armed conflict in this part of the country," Arevalo said. The months of April and May registered the highest number of NPA neutralization in Visayas, according to data from VisCom. In April, a total of 21 rebels were neutralized and 25 firearms were seized by the military during clashes with the communist group. A notable incident during the said month was the encounter on April 30 in Brgy. Santander, Bobon, Northern Samar between members of the 803rd Infantry Brigade and the NPA’s Sub-regional Guerilla Unit (SRGU) under Sub-Regional Committee "Emporium" which resulted to the death of seven rebels. In May, a total of 40 NPA rebels were neutralized by the military. This was highlighted by the series of encounters in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental and Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental between members of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the remnants of the NPA’s weakened guerilla front Central Negros 1 under the KR NCBS. Nine rebels were killed in the said encounters. Arevalo urged the VisCom to sustain their achievements especially to preserve peace and order amid the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in October by working together with the communities. "The support of our people is vital in our campaign to end the reign of terror in the region," he noted.