More troops boost Davao’s anti-rebel campaign

MANILA, Philippines - At least 120 Army soldiers have been deployed to the Davao region to augment the government’s campaign against communist rebels, an Army official said yesterday.

The additional troops came from the Army’s 7th Infantry Division based in Nueva Ecija, said Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año, chief of 10th ID.

“They will augment our peace and development outreach program teams. Some will join strike forces to decimate the NPA (New People’s Army),” Año said.

He expressed hope that the additional troops would make the military operations more effective and compel the rebels to surrender.

Davao Region is among areas where communist insurgents are actively operating.

Año said the rebels are extorting money from mining companies and hampering the implementation of government projects.

 “We have to stop these atrocities to bring about development,” he said.

 The additional forces arrived last Friday and were deployed to the 69th, 84th, and 71st Infantry Battalions.

The military has estimated the membership of the communist movement at about 3,200 as of the end of 2014.