ILOILO City – The strength of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in this region is weakening, according to the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID)
Major Cenon Pancito III, 3ID spokesperson, said the insurgency will be nearing its end if more NPA members would surrender to the government.
“The rebels really feel the pressures of our offensive operations. They also see the good governance of our local government units and the support of the community,” he said.
According to Pancito, only two out of four front committees of the NPA remain.
“Kung makikita natin, dalawa nalang na front committees (Southern and Central) ang naiwan kasi they need more members para mabuo ang isang committee. Their strength is really (weakening) kasi marami na nag-surrender at namatay sa encounter and then mga tinataguan nila ay na-overrun na natin sa tulong din ng mga mamamayan,” said Pancito.
The 3ID is optimistic the insurgency problem in this region will be addressed soon.
Eleven members of the CPP-NPA in Antique surrendered to the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on June 23.
The highest-ranking surrenderers were “Ka Paner” and “Anton”, both squad leaders who had managed 12 armed rebels.
Other surrenderers were “Bobet”, “Dodoy”, “Tams”, “Boy”, “Nini”, “Boy”, “Junior”, “Jojo”, and “Jan-Jan.”
They also turned over two shotguns, one caliber .45 pistol with bullets, three grenades, five riffle grenades, and 240 bullets of .9MM pistol.
“Massive surrender has really weakened them and talagang kaunti nalang sila. The program of the government is really effective (kasi may) maraming programa para sa kanila,” said Pancito./(With PNA/PN)
