Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Balgos Jr., commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion, emphasized that army personnel are prepared to conduct combat operations to eliminate the NPA’s Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG) and the KRP.
SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — The Philippine Army (PA) recently announced the destruction of the Komite Rehiyong Panay (KRP)-Southern Panay Front (SPF) of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the southern parts of Antique and Iloilo provinces.
The Army neutralized, caused the surrender, and carried out arrests of the NPA’s KRP-SPF front-key leaders.
Successful military operations were due to close inter-agency cooperation under the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC)-Antique.
According to the National Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (NJPSCC), the demise of the KRP-SPF means the rebel group in the area is no longer capable of any tactical offensive due to the absence of manpower, firearms, and resources.
To prevent the SPF from regaining its influence in previously insurgency-affected areas, the PA 61st IB continues conducting various anti-insurgency initiatives, such as the Mobile Community Support Sustainment Program.
Also, the PA intensifies its local peace engagement with the local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders in persuading the last remaining members of communist terrorist groups (CTGs) to surrender to the government and restart their lives.
Moreover, PA 61st IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Balgos, Jr. pointed out that army personnel stand ready to carry out combat operations to eradicate the NPA’s Regional Sentro de Gravidad (RSDG) and the KRP.
From January 1 to July 24, authorities logged 54 rebels who surrendered and arrested five, along with 25 sympathizers, through the collaboration of the Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP). (EAD-BPS/PIA Antique)
