‘NPA cannot influence polls in in Western Visayas’

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Visayas is incapable of influencing the outcome of the May 12 midterm elections, according to the Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division (ID).

Maj. Marion Sison, Army 3rd ID commander, said the neutralization of top NPA leaders last year and the group’s defeat in a series of armed encounters made the rebels powerless to influence voters in the region.

Sison said Panay Island has also been cleared of any communist terrorist group, noting that CTG presence or threat is among the parameters in listing a town or city under the “election areas of concern.”

“We are now gearing for the declaration of Panay Island into the Stable Internal Peace and Security or SIPS status,” Sison said, adding that no barangay or town in Panay is tagged as rebel-influenced.

According to Sison, the 3rd ID engaged in 63 armed encounters with rebels last year, resulting in the neutralization of 116 NPA rebels.

He said 69 rebels surrendered or were captured.