Negros Island gets more troops

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Army has deployed more troops on Negros Island to support the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 70 issued by President Duterte. 

The EO seeks to institute a “whole of government” approach in addressing insurgency, including the creation of a task force to end armed conflict in every provinces. 

The 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC), which is capable of conducting long-range combat and reconnaissance operations, arrived on the island on board BRP Tausug on Friday.

The 14th Civil Military Operations Battalion (CMOB), composed of more than 100 personnel, arrived two days earlier.

The 33rd DRC and the 14th CMOB came from Panay Island and Luzon, respectively.

At present, there are five Army battalions deployed in Negros.

The 33rd DRC troopers are trained in combat operations, similar to PA’s elite units, including the Scout Rangers and Special Forces, according to Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, chief of the 303rd Infantry Brigade. 

Negros is a priority area for clearing of armed local insurgents and dismantling of existing NPA guerrilla fronts by the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.