Actions speak louder, not words

Non-casual readers and keen observers may have noticed that for sometime now, there has been some marked progress or achievements done by the government – particularly the AFP – with regard to the NPA insurgency, at least in the three Visayas regions.

This corner for one, had occasions to lampoon the AFP, including its commander-in-chief for the earlier cavalier pronouncements of wiping out the rebels in many repeated, and failed, promises within given time frames. This time, however, under the helm of chief of staff Lt. General Alexander Yano who is articulate and candid, but not glib talker in parrot-like spiel, the AFP positive actions in the field have borne out well.

Except for vague expectations of reducing the NPA guerilla fronts, but still hopeful to wipe out the insurgency without promising a definite time frame, the new AFP leadership is more action-oriented, instead of past loud talkers who had reneged on their promises. It also appears that Regions 6, 7, and 8 are spearheading the anti-insurgency campaign, with field stats bearing out the AFP performance, like the number of rebel surrenderees.

For instance, in Eastern Visayas, specifically in Northern Samar, the 20th Infantry Battalion has been active in neutralizing NPA control of barangays along the tri-boundaries of Northern Samar and Calbayog City where the NPA used to enforce taxation and extort IRA shares from barangays. Elements of the 20th IB overran the main rebel camp after a gun-battle with the guerilla dissidents fleeing but leaving their two dead comrades.

For another, in San Jose de Buan town of Samar, its lady mayor lauded the 8th Infantry Division for restoring peace while stepping up the anti-insurgency campaign. Thus, rebel depredations and forced contributions from helpless civilians have been stopped to the residents’ relief. In late March, five rebels surrendered in Jipapad and Orias, Eastern Samar.

While in Kananga, Leyte, another NPA leader surrendered to the 19th IB, a certain Michael Aligato, with his 45 caliber gun. In turn, the SOP incentive of P20,000 was handed to him to jump-start his new life in the mainstream of the community. Added incentives and further aids would follow for his livelihood. Incidentally, this surrenderee came after the surrender of rebel commander Luciano Casinillo.

While in southern Negros Oriental where many guerilla fronts have already been overrun by the AFP elements, lately the 79th IB took over the abandoned NPA camp in Siapo, San Jose town after an hour battle. The military attributed their success in closing in on NPA lairs on the cooperation and tips of barangay residents, long suffering from rebel abuses.

Meanwhile, in Western Visayas, 23 rebels also yielded with their arms, and pledged their allegiance back to the government in formal rites at the Iloilo capitol. The surrenderees were each given P20T plus P50T worth of goods and as livelihood capital. Lately, another NPA encounter slew one soldier, wounded two, against one NPA killed and seven wounded in Buri, Topaz, Capiz.

Meantime, in Bohol, 26 rebels gave up their fight against the government in formal ceremonies as they were given P20T each as incentive, plus seed money for business later.

Finally, in the Cebu northwest towns, sometimes spilling to the mountains of Catmon and Sogod, a rebel couple surrendered recently with their minor children. They want to give their children normal lives in the mainstream, as they have long suffered the volatile and ever-harassed life as lawless denizens of society.

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