NPA attempts to revive guerilla fronts in C.V.

CEBU, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command has tightened its monitoring activities amid reports that the New People's Army is reviving its guerilla fronts in Cebu and Negros.

Centcom commander, Maj. Gen. John Bonafos, said in a press conference that they are evaluating reports on alleged NPA movements in Western and Central Visayas.

"Ito ay report na ating natanggap at patuloy nating ini-evaluate itong report na 'to sapagkat nagkaroon ng ibang mga pag-galaw sa area ng Region Seven as well as Region Six," Bonafos said.

He added that actions have been taken to suppress the attempt of the rebel group to re-organize in Cebu and Negros.

"Naapektohan ang Negros kaya binabantayan natin ang report na kanilang bubuhayin ang pwersa nila sa Cebu at Negros. Ating ginawang aksyon na hindi muling manumbalik ang disturbance nila sa ating peace and development sa Cebu at Bohol," Bonafos said.

Centcom earlier declared Cebu and Negros provinces as insurgency-free.

Last year the provinces of Antique, Eastern Samar in the Western Visayas region were also cleared of the presence of the leftist insurgents.

Bonafos vowed that more areas in the Visayas will be cleared of the Marxist rebels soon.

 "Sa nagdaang taon ating na-clear ang probinsya nga Antique at Eastern Samar, naibaba natin ang mga activity ng mga armadong elemento ng NPA. Sa taong ito may mga probinsya na ma-idedeclare at magagawa natin to sa medyo madaling panahon," he said.

Bonafos, however, said that this could only be done if all the stakeholders responsible for the establishment of peace and order will once again lend their hands to the AFP.

He said that the Bayanihan Spirit of all the stakeholders is a big factor for the clearing of the insurgents affected areas within the area of responsibility of the Central Command. — (FREEMAN)