INSURGENCY WAR. A total of 18 new soldiers arrive at the headquarters of the Philippine Army's 11th Infantry Battalion in Negros Oriental to boost the fight against insurgency on Monday (July 18, 2022). One of the soldiers is a former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army who had previously surrendered and gone through some processes before enlistment. (Photo courtesy of the 11IB, PA) DUMAGUETE CITY - The 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Siaton, Negros Oriental welcomed the arrival of more troops to fight insurgency and promote peace and development in the province. A former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) who has become a full-fledged soldier was among the 18 servicemen that arrived at the battalion headquarters in Barangay Salag, Siaton on Monday afternoon. Lt. Col. Roderick Salayo, 11IB commanding officer, said on Tuesday the ex-NPA rebel had gone through the right processes
GOV'T ASSISTANCE. Families of two CAFGU armed auxiliaries who were killed by suspected New People's Army rebels in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, received livelihood assistance on July 8, 2022. The Department of Trade and Industry, the 62nd Infantry Battalion, and the Guihulngan local government facilitated the turnover of the livelihood kits. (Photo courtesy of the 62IB/Philippine Army) DUMAGUETE CITY - The families of two members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CAFGU) who were killed by the New People's Army (NPA) in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental have received livelihood assistance from the government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). DTI-Negros Oriental provincial director Nimfa Virtucio told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that the two deceased CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (CAAs) are among four in the province who were identified to benefit from the Comprehensive Social Benefits Prog
DND officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. (Screengrab from DND Facebook live video) MANILA - Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. on Wednesday strongly deplored the New People's Army's (NPA) landmine attack on Tuesday that injured government troops conducting operations in Northern Samar. "The DND strongly condemns the landmine blast perpetrated by the communist terrorist group (CTG) against our troops conducting immersion and clearing operations in Mapanas, Northern Samar, yesterday, July 5. The blast resulted in the injuries of seven of our men from the 20th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army," he added. While calling the incident an isolated one, Faustino said the NPA landmine blast is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law. "More specifically, an incontrovertible violation of the Ottawa Convention, which bans and condemns the use of landmines," the DND official added.
PEACE ADVOCATES. A total of 125 youths from Mabinay, Negros Oriental have completed a three-day Youth Leader Summit initiated by the Philippine Army. The youth summit aims to empower the participants in nation-building while helping promote peace. (Photo by Judy Flores Partlow) DUMAGUETE CITY - Leaders and graduates in a Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) in Mabinay town, Negros Oriental have vowed to promote peace and help the government fight the insurgency. On Monday afternoon, 125 young people, with ages ranging from 11 to 28, completed a three-day youth summit initiated by the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and facilitated by leaders of the Youth for Peace and Development Philippines-Negros Oriental chapter. "The goal of our organization is to promote sustainable peace and youth empowerment," said Aljoy Canedo, 22, of Manjuyod, Negros Oriental and the president of the provincial Youth for Peace. Having completed the provincial YLS a few years ago, she led othe
SURRENDER. Two members of the CPP-NPA surrendered to the 705th Maneuver Company of the Philippine National Police in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental. Mayor Peve Ligan (2nd from left) facilitated the interview. (Photo courtesy of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office) DUMAGUETE CITY - Two more members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) have surrendered to police authorities in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental on Sunday. A report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) on Monday identified the surrenderers as Renato Bagacay, 39, and Vidal Cardinas, 49, both farmers and residents of Barangay Talalak, Sta. Catalina. They surrendered to the 705th Mobile Force Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7 in Sta. Catalina. The police said they are undergoing debriefing and profiling so they can be enrolled in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Integrated Livelihood Program (E-CLIP). Sta. Catalina Mayor Peve Ligan facili