More soldiers, cops deployed on Negros island vs NPA rebels

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Another Army battalion and 140 police officers will be deployed on Negros island to fight communist rebels.

A send-off ceremony for 500 soldiers belonging to the newly activated 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) was held at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz on Wednesday.

Capt. Eduardo Precioso, 3rd Infantry Division (ID) public affairs office chief, yesterday said the troops would augment the 303rd IB.

There are currently three battalions in Negros, including the 15th IB from Mindanao, whose members recently arrived on the island.

Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, 3rd ID commander, said Negros is a priority area in the campaign against communist insurgents.

The additional police officers will augment the Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force.

The deployment of more soldiers and police officers in Negros was in response to intensified atrocities committed by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, including the burning of heavy equipment being used in government projects.