Army’s next target: NPAs in Lemery town
On the offensive mode.
Following the recent atrocity of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Lemery, Iloilo, the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade will be conducting operations in the area to run after the rebels.
This, 301st IB commander Col. Gerardo Layug said yesterday, as he revealed that the incident could have been offshoot of the NPA’s staying out of the military’s way.
“If you will recall, there is a burning incident in Lemery because we have moved them away from Dumarao. When we were in Dumarao, Capiz, they moved to Cuartero, and now that we are in Cuartero, they moved to Lemery. Kaya doon sila gumawa ng atrocity because we have driven them out of Dumarao and Cuartero,” he added.
“So, ang isusunod namin ang Lemery. We already cleared Dumarao except for one barangay to be cleared but it is adjacent to Cuartero town,” Layug said.
But he clarified that they would not be putting up detachment in the area.
“Mag-ooperate lang kami. We are operating there right now but the base of the Dumarao-Cuartero area is now in Cuartero,” he added.
Last January 17, the farm tractor, owned by mayoralty candidate Ligaya Apura, was reduced into “skeletal remains” and ashes after it was torched by NPA rebels at Brgy. Pakwan, Lemery.
Some seven armed men arrived at the farm land of the Apuras and ordered tractor driver Cecilio Parreño to stop the farm vehicle and get his load of rice.
It was gathered that they threw 3 grenades and an improvised explosive devise on the tractor. However, it failed to burn the farm vehicle.
This prompted the suspects to douse gasoline and set it on fire.
Police investigation revealed that the victims’ refusal to give in to the extortion demand of the NPAs under the Eastern Front Section led by Romulo Gangoso alias Regan.
Reports claimed that the NPAs demanded P50,000 every cropping to the Apuras.
The mayoralty bet also refused to give in to the demands of the NPAs for permit to campaign and permit to win fees.
Meanwhile, Layug clarified that their movement has nothing to do with the recent passing of the resolution of Sangguniang Bayan of Dumarao asking AFP chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado for the pull out of the detachment of the 47th Infantry Battalion’s Bravo Company.
The 301st IB commander said that there’s no complaint against them on electioneering.
“Even fore that, we have plans to transfer the Bravo Company to Cuartero town because we already have cleared the affected barangays in Dumarao,” he added.
Layug said that they have moved the company base to the area where they are conducting operations in connection with the development projects in Cuartero, in coordination with the local government unit.
“We’re very strict in following the guidelines of the higher headquarters that AFP members should not engage in partisan political activity. I explained to the Sangguniang Bayan and the mayor that we will still operate to protect the community and preserve the gains that we have in Dumarao,” he added.
Layug explained that they could have better command and control of the troops who are in clearing operation if they would base in the actual area.
