AT least 186 communist New People’s Army rebels have been killed in military operations throughout the country since January, the Armed Forces reported Sunday.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said this means the military did not relent on its counter-insurgency operations, except during the government’s unilateral ceasefire from March 19 up to April 16.
The government truce was declared by President Duterte to focus on efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The truce was not extended due to rebel atrocities against government troops during the ceasefire period.
“During that period, except the time we had a unilateral ceasefire declared, our combat operations continued,” said Arevalo.
The military is aiming to defeat the NPA on or before the end of Duterte’s term in June 2022.
“As we have said we have units declared to assist in the efforts against COVID-19 pandemic and we also have troops dedicated to go after terrorists, may they be NPAs or terrorist groups in Central Mindanao and Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu,” said Arevalo.
Arevalo said one of the keys in the successful combat operations against the NPA during the first several months of the year were information provided by civilians and cooperation of local government officials.
Arevalo said 15 of the rebels were slain in a series of skirmishes with Army troops in Gingoog City last week. Four of the 15 were leaders, including Ian Dela Rama, alias Gian, secretary of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 4A.
AFP chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said the recent killing of the 15 rebels was a big blow to the NPA in eastern Mindanao.
“Neutralizing four NPA leaders in a continuing operation will inevitably lead to not only the dismantling of a particularly notorious NPA group but to the weakening and eventual demise of other CTGs (communist terrorist groups) in eastern Mindanao,” Santos said.
The AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command has cleared 16 major units of the NPA in the area since last year to May this year.
Santos commended troops of the Eastmincom, under Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., “for these remarkable achievements.”
“I urge you to continue harnessing the collaboration with the people who provides reliable and vital information and the LGUs that provide good governance. That triumvirate shall eliminate this CTG,” said Santos.
