AFP Eastmincom reports ‘significant decrease’ in NPA strength

From GMA News (Mar 21): AFP Eastmincom reports ‘significant decrease’ in NPA strength

Counterinsurgency operations in eastern Mindanao have weakened the New People's Army there, the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command said Sunday.

"We have noticed the drop in the manpower of the NPAs to 1,866 in the first quarter this year from 4th quarter 2014 figure of 1,982," said Lt. Gen Aurelio Baladad, Eastmincom commander said.

He added the military believes the number of the firearms held by the NPA have also dropped to 2,300 from 2,354 as of March.

Eastmincom, which is headquartered in Davao City, operates in Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and parts of Soccsksargen.

"These are very significant (decrease in rebel strength) and we foresee greater drops in the coming months," Baladad said earlier this week.

Maj. Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom public affairs officer, said the decrease in the NPA's numbers is from deaths, captures, arrests, and surrenders.

Balagtey said at least 53 percent of the NPA — the military has earlier said that there are around 3,000 members in the country — are in the Eastmincom area.

He added that according to the government's internal peace and security plan, the command has until 2016 to clear the Davao and Caraga regions.

In February, the AFP and the Philippine National Police managed to repel an attack by around 50 members of the NPA on a police station in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

The NPA leader suspected of being behind the attack was arrested within days of the foiled attack.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/456965/news/regions/afp-eastmincom-reports-significant-decrease-in-npa-strength