‘NPA strength dwindling’

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 1): ‘NPA strength dwindling’

The New People’s Army had vowed to launch more tactical offensives to mark its 44th founding anniversary on March 29, but failed to project itself as still a force to reckon with, as its strength continues to dwindle in Negros and Panay islands, the military said.

Military records show that, since Col. Oscar Lactao assumed command of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, 21 months ago, the NPA strength in Negros has reduced from about 300 in 2010, to 210 this year, with 88 rebels having surrendered.

In the whole of the Western Visayas, the Army 3rd Infantry Division also reported a significant decrease of 49 percent in NPA strength, from 444 in 2010 to 227 in the first quarter of this year.

On the other hand, the Communist Party of the Philippines, in a congratulatory message to the NPA, said that, despite concentrated enemy attacks in Negros, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao, they have become stronger, and excelled at seizing initiatives, inflicting casualties and causing material damage to, and seizing arms from government forces.

Major Gen. Jose Mabanta, 3rd Infantry Division commander, however, said the CPP-NPA is losing its mass base support, while its ranks continue to go back to mainstream society and start a new life.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. recently distributed P149,338 worth of livelihood projects and financial assistance of P5,000 each to 15 rebel returnees in the province, facilitated by Lactao.

Despite the decrease in NPA strength, Mabanta admitted there is still a lot to be done. In the spirit of bayanihan, they will continue to work together and even harder with the local communities, the local government units, government agencies, the civil society organizations and all other stakeholders in putting an end to insurgency in Panay and Negros, he added.

In a statement it issued, the CPP said, the NPA must field strike forces to intensify their tactical offensives to seize more arms and create more units.

“The strike forces must carry out ambushes, raids and other disarming operations at an accelerated rate and with short rest periods. They must wage only the battles that they are capable of winning. They must target the stationary and moving weak points of the enemy,” the statement added.

Mabanta said they have received numerous surrender feelers from rebels due to the hardships they have been experiencing in the jungles, while others are thinking about their families and their future in the armed struggle.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/April/01/negor1.htm