Army sends battalion to battle NPA in Ilocos Sur, Mt Province

Chief to NPAs: Let’s change gov’t thru polls 

By Mar T. Supnad

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur- The Philippine Army sent the 70th Infantry Battalion (IB), a newly reactivated unit to its command post here at Barangay Sulvec here to conduct operations against New People’s Army guerillas in Ilocos Sur and Mountain Province.  

The unit is under the control of the Army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade and a part of the two other combat battalions stationed in Ilocos Sur.

It aims to battle the Komiteng Larangan Gerilya (KLG) South Ilocos, Sur, a unit of the New People’s Army operating in the province.

“The reactivated unit aims to help combat insurgency not just within the province but entire area of responsibility of the 702nd Infantry Brigade, which includes Region 1, the whole province of Abra, and municipalities of Besao and Tadian in Mountain Province,” said 702nd Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Audrey Pasia.

The unit was a former battalion supervising Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachments, later transformed into a combat battalion after it underwent month-long training at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

During the unit’s send-off held at Fort Magsaysay, 7th Infantry Division Commander Major General Alfredo Rosario, Jr. told troops their mission was to protect people and communities from the NPA.

Meanwhile, 70 IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Eugene Garce said the 70 IB will work with peace stakeholders in Ilocos Sur.

Brig. Gen. Pasia added the 702nd Infantry Brigade is confronting three KLGs in Ilocos Sur, North Abra and those along the provincial tri-boundary of Abra, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur.

He urged NPA members to trust the government, through the initiatives of elected leaders.

 “It's not good that we, Filipinos, are fighting each other. Can't we trust our elected leaders, who are God ordained, to lead us? There's only one government, God ordained also, which we should all respect. If we want to change our leaders, let's all wait for 2022 when we will elect a new set of political leaders - that's how democracy works. Let's all give peace a chance and stop armed struggle.”