Army official says ‘no ceasefire this holiday season’

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) in Western Visayas will continue to hunt down the New People’s Army (NPA) even in the holiday season.

Brigadier-General Eric Vinoya, 3ID commander, during his visit to Negros Occidental last Thursday, said there will be no ceasefire during Christmas and New Year.

“No ceasefire this holiday season. We‘ll continue with our relentless efforts,” he stressed.

Vinoya said that they will continue their fight against insurgency, as they will deploy more troops next year in the Negros island.

Vinoya said that they are hoping to move on to the other rebel fronts in Negros island as they have initially targeted to dismantle the north and central fronts of the NPA early next year.

“Hindi namin iiwan ang northern and central Negros, but we will shift our focus to other Negros fronts para sabay-sabay pa din ang campaign against insurgency,” he said.

He also maintained that there is no militarization happening in communities contrary to the claims of the NPA.

“We are not militarizing the area. We are securing and freeing the area from their influence,” he said.

We are also protecting the minors who are being recruited by them through their deception and lies, he added.

He continuously urged the rebels to surrender and avail the programs of the government or they will face the consequences.