Negros anti-insurgency task force formed

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines has created a task force to address communist insurgency in Negros.

Joint Task Force Negros is headed by Brig. Gen. Eric Vinoya, assistant division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID).

Capt. Cenon Pancito III, 3rd ID public affairs office chief, said the task force was created in compliance with President Duterte’s directive to address a spate of killings in Negros. Four of the victims were police officers who were attacked by New People’s Army rebels.

Pancito said the task force would undertake operational control of Army units in Negros. Five Army battalions under the 302nd and 303rd Infantry Brigades are deployed on the island.