Rebels' legal fronts deployed to brgys

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The military here recently received information that, sometime in July, the communist terrorists have dispersed several semi-legal teams (SLTs) to various barangays in Bohol, as part of the efforts to regain the rebels' hold in the province.

In a report to the Provincial Peace and Order Council, in its monthly meeting in Guindulman town, Col. John Bonafos-commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade-confirmed that "Bohol remains to be the enemy's target for recovery efforts, to save face that they have lost here and embarrass the government forces."

The military said the rebels sent 3-man SLTs to their target areas, classified as "red areas," for their thrust to regain foothold in Bohol. These were barangays San Carlos, Tabuk, Cabatuan and Carbon in Danao town; brgys. San Vicente, Trinidad and Zamora in Talibon; brgys. Buenavista and Villaflor in Carmen; and brgy. Dagohoy in Bilar.

The military also monitored some SLTs in brgys. Cabayugan, Cabudburan, Sampoangon and Sohoton in Calape town; brgy. Candungao in San Isidro; and brgy. Quinapon-an in Antequera.

Bonafos said the present situation must prompt the military to redirect its attention, and that municipal peace and order councils should address this communists' initiative in "regaining mass support in their former base areas."

The military and the police have acted on reports on the presence of armed men in some remote barangays, and against the rebel's attempt to re-enter Bohol.

Bonafos also enjoined Boholanos to help the police and military in the efforts to deny the rebels a chance to rule again in Bohol "that will disturb the present peaceful and secured environment."

Bonafos said the 802nd IB has a total of 805 CAAs, nine CAA coys and 32 members of CAFGU. They also maintain the military force at Camp Sikatuna in Carmen, Engineer Battalion in Tubigon, and the 2nd SF Battalion in barangay Riverside in Bilar, he said.

To deny the communist terrorists the opportunity to rule again in Bohol, the military conducted insurgency awareness drives in areas where the SLTs were sighted, said Bonafos, adding that mayors shall be empowered also to lead the fight in their areas.

The military conducted operations in quad boundaries of Talibon-Trinidad-Danao-Dagohoy; tri-boundaries of Carmen-Sagbayan-Catigbian; tri-boundary of Loon-Calape-Antiquera; quad boundaries of Balilihan-Batuan-Sevilla-Bilar; and tri-boundaries of Alicia-Ubay-Mabini.

The military also conducted 214 operations related to security patrol, 47 on security assistance, four on route/area security, four checkpoints, and two peace and development operations. They had also conducted civil military operations. - THE FREEMAN