Troops deployed in NegOcc village for community support program

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City –  More than 20 soldiers were deployed at Barangay Nagasi, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental on August 13, for patrol operation and community support program (CSP).

The troops came from the 32nd Civil-Military Operations Company, and Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) from “D” Company of the 12th Infantry Battalion (IB) under the operational control of 62nd IB.

Although, La Carlota City can be labeled as a peaceful city, Lieutenant Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, commander of the 62nd IB, said “it is the probable exit and resting ground of the armed group – the New People’s Army (NPA).”

Thus, he recommended for the deployment of troops at the said village after identifying it as a white area.

Dacoscos said while a white area has no sightings of NPA members, it is where the rebels’ mass-based supporters are located.

He, however, said they will continue to conduct monitoring and patrol operations to verify such report.

“We’re doing this to also educate the people and prevent insurgency-related incidents,” he added.

He said such deployment is also in line with the campaign of the government to end the local communist armed conflict so that development will be felt by the people.

In his message during the send-off ceremony, Dacoscos said “insurgency cannot be addressed alone by security forces. It has no mandate to implement developmental programs for the community, particularly the affected areas with existing issues.”

Through the help of the city government and barangay officials, we can collaboratively achieve our one common goal, and that is to bring the people closer to the government, he added.

Dacoscos said the troops will stay at the village for about three months but their deployment can be extended depending on the results of their assignment.

Meanwhile, the city government extended its sincere appreciation to the effort of the Philippine Army of bringing peace and bridging the gap between the people and the government through addressing issues being exploited by legal organizations affiliated to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF).