Elite military units of the Philippine Army are swapping assignments in Negros and Panay effective next week.

Troopers of the Army's 33rd Reconnaissance Company are expected to arrive tomorrow in Negros Island, to replace the 1st Scout Ranger Company due for redeployment to Panay.

The deployment of 1st SRC commanded by 1Lt. Stephen Encarnacion to Panay will compliment two other Scout Ranger companies being used by the Task Force Panay as its "striking forces" against New People's Army guerillas.

A military company-size unit is composed of 90 soldiers.

Five of the nine soldiers killed in an ambush-slay in Calinog, Iloilo, on November last year, were members of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Noel Buan.

Military records show that six Army remote outposts were harassed by New People's Army in southern Negros late last year, that led to the injury of a militiaman.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, said the CPP-NPA in southern Negros has been monitored to be in full swing organizational work.

"They still have plans to conduct tactical offensives at any opportune time, and of recruiting new members, by force," Flores said.

Police records show that there are at least six guerilla units of the New People's Army in Negros, three of which are located in the Occidental side and three others in the Oriental side.

The Larangan Gerilya 1, 2 and 6 in Oriental Negros have an estimated 75 armed fighters with 170 party members. On the other hand, the rebel group has two preparatory front committees established in southern Negros, while the Larangan Gerilya 4 is situated in northern Negros.*GPB

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