5 Negros barangays declared NPA-free

MANILA, Philippines - Five barangays in Negros Oriental have been declared insurgency-free and ready for development, according to the military.

Cpt. Cresencio Gargar, spokesman of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade, said the barangays of Siapo and Basak in San Jose; Silab in Amlan; Enrique Villanueva in Sibulan; and Dobdob in Valencia used to be regular targets of New People’s Army’s (NPA) extortion activities and atrocities.

The military made the declaration upon the recommendation of the Area Clearing Evaluation and Validation Board composed of security and local officials.

Gargar said cooperation among the local governments and the military field units made the declaration possible.

He said residents are supporting efforts to eradicate the rebels’ influence in their villages despite fears of retaliation from the NPA.