BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — More soldiers have been deployed in Negros in compliance with President Duterte’s directive to end communist insurgency to accelerate development on the island.
Personnel of the 302nd Infantry Brigade (IB) based in Bohol arrived on Thursday night at the Dumaguete City port aboard BRP Ivatan and Landing Craft 299 and proceeded to Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.
Soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion arrived on the island last week.
The 302nd IB will now have two battalions – 11th and 94th – in Negros Oriental and the 15th, 62nd and 79th in Negros Occidental.
Gen. Ignacio Madriaga, 302nd IB commander, said the military is refocusing its security as well as peace and development campaign in Negros.
Madriaga said government troopers would pursue localized peace talks aside from combat operations and clearing of rebel-infested barangays.
Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said the military would saturate Negros with combat operations and peace development initiatives.