Top military exec claims insurgency weakening in Eastern Visayas | Inquirer News

Top military exec claims insurgency weakening in Eastern Visayas

/ 05:48 PM April 19, 2023

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1694199/new-afp-viscom-chief-vows-to-weaken-insurgency-in-visayas#ixzz7zJr3wdDO

Eastern Visayas map. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

ORMOC CITY — A top military officer in Eastern Visayas on Wednesday, April 19, announced that the region’s insurgency problem has weakened.

Of the about 400 rebel-infested barangays in the region, the number has gone down to 20, according to Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division.

Article continues after this advertisement

Ligayo attended the 35th founding anniversary of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, headed by Gen. Noel Vestuir, based in Ormoc on Wednesday.

FEATURED STORIES

He also announced that there are about 200 active armed members of the Communist Party of the Philippines in the region, who are mostly operating on Samar Island, particularly in Northern Samar province, considered the last bastion of insurgency in the region.

Ligayo said the 20 villages where members of the New People’s Army dwell are located in Leyte and Samar provinces.

Article continues after this advertisement

He, however, could not say where exactly these 20 villages are located.

Article continues after this advertisement

“These villages have been cleared already, but the communist group is trying to recover these barangays. That is why we are conducting our CSP (community support program) in these barangays,” Ligayo said.

Article continues after this advertisement

The CSP is considered the flagship program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, used to clear communities of NPA while neutralizing the military structure of the communist group in the villages.

Soldiers conduct various services and projects under the CSP with the help of other government agencies.

Article continues after this advertisement

Ligayo said they are determined to dismantle the remaining two communist guerilla fronts as these serve as a “consolidation” arm of the communist group in influencing or controlling villages to their side.

“We are confident that we can dismantle these guerilla fronts as they consolidate these barangays (under their influence),” he said.

Ligayo stressed that ending the insurgency problem is not just a military-driven solution. He said they need the help of other sectors, including the people in areas with rebels.

RELATED STORY:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

New AFP Viscom chief vows to weaken insurgency in Visayas

JPV/abc
TAGS: AFP, Government, Insurgency, Military, Visayas

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.