'Piston' civic mission to proceed despite NPA threats

ILOILO CITY – US troops will continue their civic mission in Capiz despite threats from the New People’s Army (NPA).

“There’s no problem with the medical mission,” Capt. Renante Besa, information officer of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, told The STAR yesterday, as he downplayed the order of the Communist Party of the Philippines for the NPA, its military arm, to conduct offensives against the “Balance Piston 09-1" in Jamindan, Capiz.

Last week, two NPA units figured in a mis-encounter in Barangay Buri, Tapaz town. The military said the rebels were on their way to harass Filipino and US soldiers taking part in the joint training exercise.

Besa said the 31 US trainers conducting the exercise will also join the medical-dental mission in Barangays Agloloway and Jaena Sur in Jamindan town. 

Security for the US troops has been arranged with the Philippine National Police and Jamindan Mayor Ethel Jinon, who will also join the civic mission, he said. 

Barangay officials and residents, too, are helping the military monitor the presence of NPA rebels, he added.

“We are also constantly conducting security patrols in the two barangays,” Besa said, adding that the villages are just in the periphery of Camp Macario Peralta where the joint military exercise is being held. 

“So I believe there would be no problem,” he said, dismissing the NPA threats as “usual” and “expected.”

“The training is (going on) smoothly as planned. We are prepared for whatever threats,” he said.

At least 141 men of the 3rd ID are involved in Balance Piston 09-1, which runs until Feb. 20.