Army Brig. Gen. Nestor Ochoa yesterday encouraged local government units to be in the forefront in addressing the causes of the insurgency problem in their areas.

Ochoa, newly-designated commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, yesterday said the active participation of Governors Gwen Garcia and Erico Aumentado in the anti-insurgency campaign, led to the dismantling of two NPA guerilla fronts in Bohol and Cebu, that used to be the areas of operations of 3ID.

Ochoa said they are targeting to reduce the insurgency problem in Negros and Panay islands to an insignificant level by yearend.

Military records show that two of the three infantry brigades of the 3rd Infantry Division are now stationed in Negros island.

Lt. Gen. Pedro Ike Insierto, newly-installed chief of the AFP Central Command, ordered military field commanders in Visayas not be lax and complacent in the campaign against the CPP-NPA.

“Our strategy is to always plan the next attack and never allow the enemy a moment’s rest,” Insierto who replaced Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado as CentCom chief, said.

Ochoa also said that in previous decades, abuses of soldiers had driven victims to join the New People’s Army to seek justice.

Ochoa and other top military officials in Region 6 yesterday attended the two-day Local Peace and Security Assembly held at the Planta Centro Hotel and Residences in Bacolod City.

Governor Isidro Zayco said genuine development can be only achieved if there is peace, and the people feel secure in their homes and communities.

AFP chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano recently bestowed on Ibrado the Legion of Honor Medal, for his exemplary leadership in dismantling eight of the 21 NPA guerilla fronts in Visayas.

The creation of Church-Military Advisory Group, which aims to further strengthen the relationship between the military, church and community, was also cited as one of reasons for the success of Ibrado in the campaign against insurgents.*GPB

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