Army gaining ground as number of NPAs decline in Davao region

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 7): Army gaining ground as number of NPAs decline in Davao region

The Philippine Army (PA), particularly the 10th Infantry Division (10th ID), is now gaining ground in its peace and development operations (PDOP) in Davao region as it noted the drastic decline in  the number of symphatizers and combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA).

This was the claim made by the 10th ID during the regular AFP-PNP press conference yesterday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel here.

“The number of NPA bandits in this part of the country has significantly dwindled with the killing of 39 and the arrest of 21 others during the law enforcement operations,” said 10th ID commander Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año in a statement read to the media by Lt. Col. Llewellyn Binasoy, civil military operations chief.

Año was referring to the general accomplishments of the 10th ID in 2014.

A total of 77 high-powered firearms and 128 improvised bombs were also confiscated by the army from the NPAs in 2014, the report added.

The decline of the NPA forces in Davao region was also attributed to the number of rebels who surrendered to authorities.

Año said that, last, year a total of 142 rebels yielded to authorities, the latest recorded is on December 9 last year when 39 former rebels turned over their firearms to the army.

“All of the former rebels were given the chance for a better and peaceful life under the government’s comprehensive local integration program where they received P50,000 each in livelihood assistance,” he pointed out.

Año also emphasized in the statement that the strength of the NPAs in terms of membership was significantly stripped down from 1,019 with 1,352 firearms to 993 with 1,321 from the 3rd quarter to 4th quarter of 2014.

“The CPP-NPA-NDF in the region is suffering a leadership crisis with the arrest of their well-experienced and ranking leaders. This is the reason why they are trying to recruit out-of-school youths and college students to fill the gaps,” Año added.

Among the arrested NPA leaders he named in the statement are Felix Armodia, Roy Erecre, Dominiciano Muya and Jordan Donillo.

The general also lauded the support of the civilian populace in the area in gaining such achievements.

“Civilian tipsters are instrumental to our focused-military operations. People who are victims of extortion by the NPA bandits have collaborated with us in pinpointing jungle hideouts, and most importantly, in identifying notorious bandits who mingle with plain civilians,” he said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/army-gaining-ground-as-number-of-npas-decline-in-davao-region/