Army: Encounters proof of people’s support
The series of encounters between the troopers of the 61st Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army rebel in central Panay over weekend indicate the people’s support to the government forces, an Army official said.
“They immediately report the presence of any armed men in their community. In fact, in Calinog, the information came straight from a barangay official. So these encounters happen,” said Brig. Gen. Vicente Porto, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division based in Jamindan, Capiz.
The first encounter took place at around 9:30 a.m. in Brgy. Mambiranan, Calinog, some five kilometers from the town proper, lasting for about two hours.
Then at past half noon, another group of soldiers encountered the fleeing rebels in Brgy. Malitbog, which straddles three boundaries between the towns of Calinog and Bingawan in Iloilo and Tapaz in Capiz.
Later in the afternoon, another group of rebels and soldiers clashed in Brgy. Lantangan, Pontevedra, Capiz where a rebel was killed and his female comrade was injured.
According to the Philippine Army’s 3rd ID, the rebels encountered by the soldiers in Calinog are believed to be members of the Central Front Committee of the Communist Kilusang Rehiyon-Panay headed by Francisco Balois alias Tonying.
In Pontevedra, Capiz, the rebels are surmised to be members of the section committee (formerly known as Eastern Front Committee) of the Communist Kilusang Rehiyon-Panay under Romulo Gangoso aka Regan.
Moreover, Porto said the encounters last Saturday could be attributed to the fact that the 61st IB is new in their area of assignment.
The 61st IB, based in Camp Carreon in Calinog, Iloilo, had earlier swapped assignments with the 47th IB now assigned in Negros Island.
“Therefore, based on my assessment that they being new in Panay, they are always on their toes, alert. They are very willing and eager to learn more about the terrain and the people of Panay. They have been busy moving around and this is the result of their hard work and perseverance,” Porto said.*JPR
