BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Dead Communist Party founder Jose Maria Sison once waxed poetic about New People’s Army guerrillas whom he described in his poem “The Guerrilla Is Like A Poet” as “keen to the rustle of leaves, the break of twigs and the ashes of departure.”
There seems to be nothing poetic now in northern Negros Occidental, the former extortion corridor of the Communists, as the Army presses its advantage on and off the battlefields and as a string of surrenders of armed regulars hits remnants of the defunct Northern Negros Front.
In the south, the 15th Infantry Battalion led by a new commander, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Bagaipo, reported the latest kill count, a rebel whose body was left behind with a shotgun and grenades following a firefight with a rifle unit of the 15th in Basak, an upland village in Cauayan town where the 15th IB is also based.
Lieutenant Angelie Corpuz said in a dispatch that the brief clash occured in the community of Pasto while their troopers were conducting a security patrol.
The rebels broke contact after briefly exchanging gunfire with the soldiers and left behind their dead fighter.
The latest kill of a remnant, believed to be part of the survivors of a dismantled South West Front, came days after the 79th Infantry Battalion bssed in northern Negros Occidental reported the seizure of an arms cache in the upland village of Pinowayan in Don Salvador Benedicto town and, a week before thst, the discovery of a rebel lair and the seizure of weapons, in upland Cadiz City.
General Orlando Edralin, set to retire this year as a soldier and turn over command of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, is also pressing the Army offensive off the battlefield, holding meetings with mayors to harmonize plans in their localities as part of sustainment plans after the province was placed under Stable Internal Peace and Security Status (SIPS).
The status is granted to localities where the Communist armed and political infrastructures have been “dismantled” that includes the reduction of armed fighters to less than a squad.
Last week, Edralin met with Mayor Rex Jalandoon of La Carlota City and Mayor Nicholas Yulo of Bago, the city closest to this highly-urbanized center.
Camp Gerona said the meetings were done “… to discuss plans aimed at integrating, harmonizing, and operationalizing the various efforts of the Local Government Units and the 303rd Infantry Brigade and its line battalions, including the 62IB in Central Negros towards the sustainment of (SIPS).”
Edralin, the dispatch said,” expressed his deep appreciation for the LGUs’ dedication and support in establishing a safe and secure environment for their constituents especially in Central Negros.”
He added “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our joint efforts to bring an end to the local communist armed conflict and ensure the well-being of our communities. We are committed to working hand in hand with the LGUs, utilizing our collective expertise and resources, to achieve our shared goal of lasting peace and development and stable internal peace and security (SIPS) in Negros Island.”
Over in the north, the 79th IB also held discussions with residents in Hinab-ingan, an upland village in Calatrava town.
The pulong pulongs were coupled with a direct services mission that included a feeding program and free haircuts.
The 79th said the Mobile Community Support and Sustainment Program “form part of Sustaining the gains and being relentless in pursuing Peace and Development of the 79th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion under the leadership of Leiutenant Colonel Arnel P Calaoagan PA, Modified Community Sustainment Support Program (MCSSP) Team led by 1LT Ariel C DE Guzman PA, Company Commander of Bravo Company 79IB, together with personnel of 1st Maneuver Platoon of 1st NOCPMFC led by Pat Jayson Mahilum and CAA James Durimon.”
