Monday, October 16, 2006 ‘No Thunderbolt revival’, says military By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
MURCIA -- The recently concluded fighting between the army and the New People's Army in Calatrava town was not a prelude for the rumored revival of "Operation Thunderbolt" in Negros island.
Operation Thunderbolt was launched in 1989 by now retired general Raymundo Jarque. It placed the entire Chicks (Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Candoni, Kabankalan and Sipalay) area in southern Negros Occidental a "no man's land" and displaced almost 35,000 civilians.
Although residents in several barangays in Calatrava town have also left their houses fearing they may get sandwiched in the on-going battle between the soldiers and rebels, Colonel Gregorio Fajardo said there is nothing to worry.
The evacuation of 2,000 people last Wednesday, he said, is part of normal procedures in ensuring the safety of the barangay residents.
Fajardo is the commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade.
"The Calatrava fighting was an isolated case and it won't be likened to Operation Thunderbolt of then Negros Island Command (Nicom) chief, retired general Raymundo Jarque in the late 80s," he said as he advised the public not to panic.
Although Fajardo had advice the barangay residents to go back to their respective houses, Provincial Disaster Management Team (PDMT) Chief Vicfran
Defante said a number of people are still afraid of their safety.
These people reportedly opted to go back to evacuation centers during nighttime.
"This is not the case or the scenario that we wanted for in Negros. But everything is back to normal now," Fajardo said.
Most of the affected families are from Barangays Malanog, Cruz, Tilim, Mechaca and Malatas.
The Provincial Government, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD), has already extended relief and food assistance to the evacuees.
The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) - Negros Occidental Chapter also gave canned goods aside from the medical assistance.
Fajardo said the Calatrava encounter weakened the rebel forces belonging to the New People's Army Larangang Guerilla 3-Komiting Rehiyonal Negros (LG3-KNR) in northern Negros.
Army attacks also reportedly ruined the main camp of LG3, resulting to the recovery of one FAL 7.62 MN, three M-16 Rifles, one caliber.45 grease gun, one shotgun, four rifle grenades and two lengths of ammunitions for a caliber 60 machine gun.
Also recovered were the rebels' personal belongings, medicines and subversive documents.
LG3 is composed of at least three platoons, each with 30 members.
Army officials claimed a number of rebels were wounded and some were killed. However, their unscathed comrades reportedly managed to bring them out of the encounter site in Barangay Tilim, Calatrava.
"That's why, we are confident that the rebels in the north have started consolidating their forces, curing their wounded fighters and honoring their deads," he added.
Fajardo said the NPA may now be reviewing what happened the past few days and draw other plans for the future.
The rebels, he added, may also seek shelter in places where they still have a mass support.
Fajardo vowed to avert any rebel movement to see to it that no incident similar to the attack of the Silay airport last Sunday dawn will happen.
"Our only appeal is for everybody to support the Army in our fight against the NPA. The NPA is really anti-development. It is a must that we crush them now," he added.
(October 14, 2006 issue) Write letter to the editor. Click here. Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
