3rd ID activates 94th IB

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —   The Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division had activated the 94th Infantry Battalion, as 208 more neophyte soldiers from Luzon and Mindanao were deployed to Visayas.

Captain Eduardo Precioso, 3rd ID spokesman, yesterday said the 3rd ID is determined to wipe out remnants of the CPP-NPA in Western and Central Visayas regions, who are continuously propagating terror and criminal activities against the people.

“Hence, we strongly believe that these additional enlisted personnel will surely boost our fervent desire to end the bloody insurgency and terrorism being waged by these terrorists,” said Precioso.

The military estimated that there are still about 500 New People’s Army fighters in Negros and Panay islands, which are now the focus of combat operations by the 3rd ID.

The NPA has been observed to have stepped up its attack against civilians, after claiming responsibility for the killing of its two former comrades they accused of being military informants—at Barangay Mahalang in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on February 28—and a civilian they claimed as a legitimate military target in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on March 18.

Meted with death penalty were Jaymark Petogo, alias Ka Ati and Reban, Reymark Dagohoy, allias Ka Tonton, and Petro Escuadro, according to Ka Dionesio Magbuelas, spokesperson of the NPA Mt. Cansermon Command, and Ka JB Regalado, spokesperson of the Leonardo Panaligan Command.

Precioso said soldiers of the newly-created 94th IB, are now undergoing a month-long organizational training in preparation for their deployment to Panay following the return of the 15th Infantry Battalion troops to Negros from Mindanao.

He added that the 208 neophyte soldiers from the 4th and 6th Infantry Divisions in Mindanao and the 7th Infantry Division in Luzon will augment the anti-insurgency and anti-terrorism campaign of the 3rd ID in Western and Central Visayas regions.

“Additional troops are also expected to assist various local government units in the delivery of basic services to the grassroots communities in the two regions,” he said.

Meanwhile, in line with the 49th founding anniversary of the NPA on March 29 (Holy Thursday), the 3rd ID and the Philippine National Police have been placed on full alert status.