Task force vs rebels launching on Aug 27

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, said on Aug 24, 2019 said that the Negros Occidental Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NOCTF-ELCAC) will be launched on Aug 27.

Arevalo also said that before the NOCTF-ELCAC is formalized, Governor Eugenio Lacson ordered the conduct of a One-Day ELCAC Planning Workshop at the Negros First Residences here last Aug 22.

The activity was attended by Arevalo, Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, Negros Occidental Provincial Police Director; Dr. Ma. Lina Sanogal, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator; representatives from the national agencies; mayors/vice mayors of different cities/municipalities, city/municipality planning and development officers, and chairs of the peace and order committees of city/municipal councils.

Arevalo told Daily Guardian here that they presented to Lacson the security situation and barangays affected by the rebellion.

“These barangays will now have priority in the delivery of services of the LGUs,” he said.

Arevalo also said that LGUs will have to identify primary and secondary issues to be addressed to prevent rebels from using these concerns in agitating and recruiting their mass base in the barangays.