New People’s Army (NPA) Regional Operational Command in Negros Island directed Red commanders and fighters to “intensify its extensive and intensive guerrilla warfare based on a widening and deepening mass base” in response to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) heightened “operational tempo,”guerrilla fronts in Central Negros mount offensives against elements of the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP).
Ka Dionesio Magbuelas, Mount Cansermon Command – New People’s Army South Central Negros (MCC-NPA) spokesperson, said that they harassed more than 30 soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) patrolling Sitio Dawahan, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City last September 6, 7:30 in the morning.
According to him, the AFP scampered away carrying their casualties while the NPA withdrew safely.
Meanwhile, Leonardo Panaligan Command – New People’s Army (LPC-NPA) Central Negros Front declared successful military offensives in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
In a press statement, LPC-NPA spokesperson Ka JB Regalado reported their sniping operation against a PNP Substation in Sitio Parkingan on September 10, 11:00 in the morning killing a police officer.
“This PNP substation is a base of human rights abusers who had a hand in the illegal arrest of Macario Pat and Ronald Baydal, and the ‘salvaging’ of innocent civilians tagged as NPA members and declared as casualties in fake encounters such as Pompeo Landisa, Arnold Suerte, and most recently Greg Cantela,” Regalado said.
Another sniping operation was mounted by a LPC-NPA team against 62IB troops camping near a peasant community at Sitio Tuko Gamay last September 11, 7:00 in the evening, according to Regalado.
He said they received reports from residents in the area that a 62IB soldier was killed in action despite the military’s deliberate attempt to keep it hushed up.
Regalado further mentioned that ‘fascist’ state forces occupy communities to “use residents as human shields fearing NPA attacks,” and are “purposely hiding their casualties.”
“These tactical offensives of the NPA in Guihulngan is a concrete response to the people’s call for justice, as their lives and livelihoods are hampered by the AFP, PNP, and NTF-ELCAC,” added Regalado.
He also said that the “whole of nation approach” is a scheme used by 303rd Infantry Brigade commander BGen. Inocencio Pasaporte to rationalize human rights violations.
The LPC-NPA commanded its troops to wage tactical offensives backed by the wholehearted support of the masses to make the fascists state forces pay for all their crimes against the people.