Patrimonio faces tough challenge

Source: visayandailystar
Col. Francisco Patrimonio, newly-designated commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, is expected to face a tough challenge in his new assignment, as he has been  tasked to clear Negros Oriental of armed rebels by the end of the year.
Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, commanding general of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, admitted that they are now concentrating their internal peace and security campaign efforts in Negros Oriental.
“Since Patrimonio has stayed long in the island, we want him to lead the (302nd Infantry) Brigade to sustain the momentum against the NPA,” Bautista said.
They are targeting to shift their focus to Negros Occidental next year, he added.
Col. Manuel Luis Ochotorena, predecessor of Patrimonio, earlier said he expects the imminent collapse of the revolutionary movement in Negros Oriental, and what is needed is only a major and decisive gunbattle with the armed communist rebel group.
Military records show that that New People’s Army, especially in southeastern portion of Negros Oriental, have slowed down their operations against government forces, as their armed strength has reduced by almost 50 percent, and they are fast losing support of the masses.     
Two Army infantry battalions have been placed under the disposal of Patrimonio as 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, to clear Negros Oriental by the end of 2011.
The NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas and Central Negros Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros operate in Negros Oriental.*GPB