Bicol insurgency crushed before GMA’s term ends in 2010, Army official vows

DARAGA, Albay – Col. Ariel Bernardo, the new commanding officer of the 901st Brigade, vowed to continue the successful operation of Brig. Gen. Nur Ascalani whom he replaced during the turn-over ceremony at the headquarters of the 901st Brigade at Barangay Villaher­mosa here.

Bernardo, the chief-of-staff of the National Capital Regional Command (NCRCOM), said he will continue the intensified combat operations to crush the remaining NPA Guerilla Fronts under his area of operation.

The Bicol Regional Party Committee has five provincial committees and 13 guerilla fronts. Two of the guerilla fronts were dismantled last year.

“We will continue the effective and intensified campaign launched by Brig. Gen. Asca­lani against the Bicol Regional Party Committee and its military arm, the New People’s Army in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate,” said Bernardo, adding that the strategic plan to defeat the communist insurgency in Bicol is feasible before the term of President Arroyo ends in 2010.

“The President’s timetable is doable to bring down the enemy in the consequential level but we need the support of all stakeholders because there is already a momentum and seriousness to finish the silent war which is causing the lingering poverty in the countryside,” said Bernardo.

Bernardo said the pace of ending the insurgency could be made faster through a holistic approach by giving a chance of former NPA rebels to be integrated in the Armed Forces as well as localized peace talks.

“Our working philosophy is to consider human rights seriously as an approach to win this war.”