Army unit moves from Quezon to Occidental Mindoro

Army troops in Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon province have left their headquarters even if communist rebels have a strong presence in the area.

Cpt. Ramon Ibarrientos, spokesman of the Army’s 76th battalion, said their unit has moved to Occidental Mindoro to replace the 80th battalion, which would undergo retraining in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Ibarrientos said the 76th battalion stayed in the Bondoc Peninsula for 10 years.

“The unit was able to gain public trust and support through continuous conduct of civil-military operations, and peace and development activities in collaboration with the different stakeholders,” he said.

Col. Alex Capiňa, chief of the 201st brigade, assured the people of Bondoc Peninsula that security concerns in the areas vacated by the 76th battalion would still be addressed.

He said troops from his brigade would handle the security operations and development programs in the area.

“Their effort for security, peace and development in these communities will remain continuous and vigorous,” Capiňa said.

Bondoc Peninsula has been known as a hotbed of communist rebellion in Southern Luzon region. The area has witnessed several armed clashes between members of the New People’s Army and the military.

Col. Generoso Bolina, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command, said a new battalion would secure Bondoc Peninsula soon.

“They (76th battalion) will be replaced immediately. The NPA will not be able to recover,” he said. 

Bolina said insurgency in Bondoc Peninsula is on a decline. He said the implementation of the government’s comprehensive agrarian reform program would contribute to the decline of the rebellion.

“People there join the rebellion because of land issues. The issue is being exploited by the rebels,” he said. – Alexis Romero