The presence of the New People's Army, armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines' has weakened in the Davao area, an Armed Forces of the Philippines official said on Saturday.
According to Maj. Gen. Eduardo Ano, commander of the Army 10th Infantry Division, this is because 39 rebels have been killed and 21 others have been arrested in law enforcement operations.
“Our troops have also confiscated 77 high-powered firearms and 128 improvised bombs,” he said.
The AFP also recorded 142 NPA surrenderees this year with the latest batch of 39 giving up their arms on Dec.9.
Ano said this development was due to the cooperation of the local civilian residents who provide information about the rebels in their areas.
“Civilian tipsters are instrumental to our focused-military operations. People who are extorted money by the NPA bandits, have collaborated with us in pinpointing jungle hideouts, and most importantly, in identifying notorious bandits who mingle with plain civilians,” Ano said.
The statement comes after the NPA recently released two soldiers abducted in Bukidnon last August to mark the 46th founding anniversary of the CPP on Friday.
Last Sunday, the NPA also released Cpl. Benjamin Samano and Pfc. Alvin Ricarte, both from the Army's 60th Infantry Battalion, to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
On Christmas Day, CPP founder and chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Jose Maria Sison said the communists are open to resuming peace talks with the government in January.
On Christmas Day, CPP founder and chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Jose Maria Sison said the communists are open to resuming peace talks with the government in January.
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