AFP: 80 NPA rebels killed, surrendered, captured in less than a month

From GMA News (Feb 26): AFP: 80 NPA rebels killed, surrendered, captured in less than a month

More than 80 members of the New People's Army (NPA) have been either killed, captured or have surrendered in the government's all-out war against the communist rebels since President Rodrigo Duterte suspended peace talks with the group.

Col. Edgard Averalo, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office, told radio dzBB that a total of 14 NPA rebels have been killed and 17 others captured since combat operations against the communist group were launched earlier this month.

Arevalo also reported that a total of 51 NPA rebels have surrendered and 37 firearms have been recovered by troops.

Duterte suspended the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) last February 4 after the rebel group lifted its own ceasefire declaration.

Following the termination of talks, Duterte said he was considering the CPP as a terrorist group and ordered the arrest of National Democratic Front consultants who were out on bail to join the peace talks in Oslo, Norway.

Last week, the CPP announced that it will release six "prisoners of war" as a "positive gesture" to return to the negotiating table with the government.

The following day, Malacañang released the "compelling reasons" that may push Duterte to resume the peace talks.

Duterte also met with his leftist Cabinet members to dicuss the peace process.

Localized peace talks Arevalo said during the radio interview that NPA groups in some areas have initiated localized peace talks.

"Sa ngayon ay marami ng grupo ng NPA sa ground na nagpapahayag ng kagustuhan na matuloy ang usapang pangkapayaan sa national level. Sila rin po ay nagmumungkahi ng localized peace talks, meaning yung NPA sa ground ang makikipagusap," Arevalo said.

Arevelo said the AFP welcomes such proposals that can achieve lasting peace in the country.

"Wine-welcome po natin ang lahat ng pamamaraan at paraan upang maasam natin ang pangmatagalang pangkapayapaan," he said.

He said that several NPA members have grown weary in their armed struggle against the government.

He said that based on testimonies from NPA members who have surrendered, they have realized that the communist movement is no longer fighting for an ideology.

"Nagigising na sa katotohanan, at base na rin ito sa impormasyon na nagmula sa nga nagsisukong NPA na sila raw ay napapagod na sa mahabang pakikipaglaban at nakita raw po nila na wala na kumbaga saysay... hindi na ideolohiya ang kanilang ipinaglalaban kung hindi nauwi na lang sila sa pang-aapi sa mga kababayan natin ay paghingi ng extortion money," Arevalo said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/601103/news/nation/afp-80-npa-rebels-killed-surrendered-captured-in-less-than-a-month