Hundreds of NPA rebels 'neutralized' in Eastern Mindanao

From ABS-CBN (Mar 22): Hundreds of NPA rebels 'neutralized' in Eastern Mindanao

Hundreds of the New People’s Army rebels have been “neutralized” in Eastern Mindanao the past few months, after the government forces continued counter-insurgency operations in the region, the military said Saturday.

In a report based on figures as of March 18, the Davao-based commander of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, said the number of NPA rebels in the area declined in the first quarter of the year.

"We have noticed the drop in the manpower of the NPAs to 1,866 in the first quarter this year from fourth quarter 2014 figure of 1,982," he said.

It was also reported that there was a decrease in the NPA firearms --from 2,354 to 2,300.

Eastmincom covers Northern Mindanao, Davao, Caraga, and SOCCSKSARGEN. The 4th and 10th infantry divisions of the Army are also under the operational control of the Eastmincom.

"These are very significant (decrease in rebel strength) and we foresee greater drops in the coming months," Baladad said, a week after the the Senate confirmed his rank.

Eastmincom’s public affairs officer, Maj. Ezra Balagtey, attributed the decrease to either killing, capture and arrest, or surrender of the insurgents.

The report also noted that at least 53 percent of the total NPA rebels are under the Eastmincom area, following the military’s statement that there are about 3,000 NPA rebels in the country.

Balagtey said the “bailiwick" of the NPA in the Eastmincom are the regions of Davao and Caraga.

"Our campaign is until 2016, that is the timeline in clearing the Davao and Caraga region (of NPA rebels) in line with the IPSP (Internal Peace and Security Plan) Bayanihan,” he said.

The IPSP Bayanihan, which serves as the blueprint in winning peace in the area, was started by the military in January 2011.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/22/15/hundreds-npa-rebels-neutralized-eastern-mindanao