77 NPA rebels surrender in the first quarter, up from zero last year, AFP says

From InterAksyon (Apr 9): 77 NPA rebels surrender in the first quarter, up from zero last year, AFP says

Seventy-seven New People's Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the government in the first quarter this year, a significant improvement from zero during the same period last year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday.

This proves that "more rebels are veering away from the injustices and criminal activities of the communist group as documented in numerous human rights violations and atrocities against innocent civilians, which are in contrast to their pro-people and pro-human rights claims," AFP spokesperson Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said.

He added that the number of surrenderees is based on reports gathered from various field units of the AFP.

Citing a recent study, the armed forces also said that the communist rebel group used landmines and other improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in 107 incidents for the past ten years, killing 113 and hurting 262 others.

The rebel group used landmines the most number of times in Region 11 with 38 incidents, specifically in Davao del Sur, followed by Caraga with 20 recorded incidents in Surigao del sur.

Burgos said the NPA utilizes landmines due to their "declining capability to engage government troops."

Landmines are also used by the NPA to harass business owners and private individuals to give in to extortion demands.

In 2012, the NPA collected up to P25-million in extortion money from civilians, a "significant decrease" from the P300-million reported in 2011, the AFP said.

Burgos said the AFP has further stepped up its intelligence monitoring to thwart NPA activities in the country.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/59016/77-npa-rebels-surrender-in-the-first-quarter-up-from-zero-last-year-afp-says