Bayanihan’ peace plan nets 77 NPAs

From Malaya (Apr 9): Bayanihan’ peace plan nets 77 NPAs

SEVENTY-SEVEN New People’s Army rebels surrendered to security forces in the first quarter of the year, while there was none during the same period last year.

This can be attributed to the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan,” the military’s blueprint in winning the peace, said Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, AFP spokesman. The campaign plan began implementation in January 2011.

“Also, this reflects that more rebels continue to realize the futility of armed violence and now believe in the sincerity of the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan and the government’s peace and development initiatives. The effective implementation of localized integration programs was also cited,” said Burgos.

Military estimates placed the rebel strength at about 4,000 men, from a high of at least 20,000 in the 1980s. Formal peace talks between the communists and government remain stalled.

For the whole year last year, 367 NPA rebels surrendered, Burgos said.

He also said the NPA, “as a result of their eroding influence and mass base support,” resorted to prohibited tactics against government troops, like the use of landmines which also hurt civilians.

In the last 10 years, he said, the NPA perpetrated 107 land mine attacks, killing 113 government troops and civilians.

http://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/28460-bayanihan-peace-plan-nets-77-npas