NPA strength 200 - Aying

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 5): NPA strength 200 - Aying

Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, who supervises the internal peace and security operations in the province, said yesterday that the New People’s Army in Negros Occidental has remained at 200, with the same number of firearms.

Aying, however, admitted that the NPA has managed to establish influence among some Negrenses, by focusing on their vulnerabilities.

He enumerated poverty, lack of education, criminal injustice, lack of security mechanism and access to basic services, among the reasons why the NPA continues to exist.

Aying said the NPA manage to deceive some people to join, in the guise of reforming the society by taking advantage of the vulnerabilities of some people, especially those residing in the countryside.

To their dismay, Aying said, the NPA recruits, who realize the rebel deceptions later, abandon the armed struggle, and return to mainstream society.

Military records show that in Negros Occidental alone, more than 90 rebels have rejoined the mainstream society since 2011.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/February/05/topstory10.htm