Ending the local armed conflict in Eastern Visayas before the year ends will be the top priority of the new commander of the Philippine Army in the region.
Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, who assumed the post as commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division on October 21, said the arrival of modern equipment will help them significantly reduce the number of NPA members.
“We will continue to fight against these so-called peace spoilers. As we move forward, we will continue to recognize that the insurgency campaign is a shared responsibility of everyone in government,” Ligayo said in a statement on Monday.
He added that the support from local government officials and the community will be a big factor to help achieve their goal.
Ligayo noted the number of former communists who have surrendered was an indication that the war against local insurgency is nearing its end.
“The government has a good program for those who surrender and the community is also helping in their reintegration,” he added.
“I call upon all our peace and development stakeholders, the different government local units headed by their local chief executives, the regional chief executives for your commitment and support to our ultimate goal in attaining the total defeat of the communist terrorists. Surely, we will be able to attain this strategic defeat of the NPA and further prevent their resurgence in the region. Together we can succeed,” Ligayo said.
During the turnover of command at the division headquarters in Catbalogan City, Samar, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. ordered soldiers in the region to wipe out insurgents before the year ends.
“The timeline that I set doesn’t mean that they need to totally annihilate the communist group, instead they must become insignificant so that they can no longer extort money from companies, from the people, and that they can no longer recruit new members,” Brawner said.
Ligayo served as the Army’s 801st Brigade Commander in 2019 where he led in the dismantling of four NPA guerrilla fronts.
Under his leadership, the brigade scored a victory against the NPA during an operation that led to the killing of 20 rebels and recovery of 33 firearms.
Ligayo’s familiarity with the terrain on Samar Island is a big factor to hit the target, Brawner said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
