Teodoro backs Negros anti-insurgency push

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. commended the Negros Occidental provincial government for its continued support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and for spearheading programs that encourage rebels to surrender and rebuild their lives.

Teodoro met with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez and other local officials at the Provincial Capitol here on Saturday.

Also present was Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade.

The meeting was held before Teodoro visited the 79th Infantry Battalion in Sagay City and the 15th Infantry Battalion in Cauayan following recent deadly encounters with the New People’s Army in Negros Occidental.

Teodoro thanked Lacson, local chief executives and other local leaders for their firm stance against insurgency, saying they have invested in the peace and reintegration process.

“It’s a very very good returning program,” Teodoro said.

He said the NPA is countering the government’s reintegration efforts by allegedly punishing those who choose to return to the fold of the law.

Teodoro said insurgency is a continuing phenomenon similar to criminality, where the government’s goal is to significantly reduce the number of armed insurgents and protect communities.

“We will go after them,” Teodoro said, referring to remaining armed insurgents operating in the province.

He assured provincial officials of the national government’s support, including that of the Department of National Defense, in maintaining peace and order in Negros Occidental.

During his visit to the two battalions, Teodoro expressed gratitude to soldiers for their service and dedication in addressing security challenges in local communities.

He also lauded units under the Armed Forces of the Philippines Visayas Command for their recent military operations against NPA rebels in Toboso and Cauayan towns.

Teodoro urged soldiers to continue doing their jobs as the DND works to counter disinformation.

The Toboso clash killed 19 people on April 19, while five rebels were killed in Cauayan on May 16.

Left-leaning groups and the military have clashed over the details of the incidents and the identities of those killed, with some groups claiming that civilians were among those killed in the Toboso encounter.

Teodoro backed the military’s position that the encounters were legitimate operations.

He emphasized that the operations would not have been successful without the support and cooperation of local residents who reported the presence of insurgents to authorities.

Teodoro thanked communities in Negros Occidental for their continued trust and assistance to the military.

He noted that many residents are now more open to sharing information that helps ensure peace and security in their areas.

He reiterated that the government remains open to accepting rebels who wish to return to the fold of the law and assured them of protection under government reintegration programs.

However, Teodoro dismissed calls for so-called “peace talks,” stressing that local officials in the province have remained firm in supporting anti-insurgency efforts and reintegration initiatives for former rebels.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has operated in several parts of Negros Island for decades.

Government forces have intensified operations in Negros Occidental in recent years while local governments pursued reintegration and livelihood programs for former rebels.