Contrary to claim of Sen. de la Rosa
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas’ top Army official, Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, has refuted Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa’s claim that New People’s Army (NPA) recruitment is once again active under the Marcos administration, suggesting a resurgence of communist insurgency in the country.
Ligayo countered the senator’s assertion, stating that the situation is actually the opposite.
Specifically, in Eastern Visayas, the insurgency problem has significantly weakened, and there is confidence that the issue will be resolved under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
“I don’t think so. They are still there, but they are not gaining strength. It is not happening here or even throughout the country that they are gaining strength,” Ligayo said on Tuesday, August 13, dismissing de la Rosa’s claim.
In fact, Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar, mentioned that they are now applying the final touches to quelling the insurgency problem in the region.
“It’s just a matter of time for us to end this communist armed conflict. If this were a basketball game, we’re not just in the fourth quarter, we’re in the last two minutes,” he stated.
Sen. De la Rosa had claimed that NPA recruitment is gaining momentum under the Marcos administration.
The senator made this claim on August 6 during a Senate inquiry into the reported recruitment of students in schools to join the communist group.
Based on their report, the relentless campaign to eliminate the insurgency problem in the region under President Marcos’ administration has led to the surrender of 162 NPA rebels and the deaths of 94 others, 14 of whom were considered key leaders in the region.
Ligayo also mentioned that around 148 firearms were recovered from the rebels and that 284 of their camps had been dismantled.
He attributed the weakening of the insurgency problem to the rebels’ decision to surrender and return to the fold of the law, as well as the strong support from local government units and various government agencies in helping to solve the issue.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
