NPA strength wanes but remains a threat, security analyst says

From GMA News (Feb 7): NPA strength wanes but remains a threat, security analyst says

The strength of the New People's Army (NPA) may have waned over the years, but the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines continues to be a serious threat to the country, according to security analyst.

In a News To Go interview, professor Rommel Banlaoi claimed that the number of NPA members has already gone down to around 3,800, with most of them in the northeastern part of Mindanao.

However, apart from its militiamen and self-defense units, the armed group's "organized mass base" also continues to contribute to its overall strength, said Banlaoi.

"Ang over all threat ng NPA should not only be based on the regular army of the NPA, which is 3,800, but 'yung over all military potential niya," said Banlaoi.

"For example, the NPA has around 1,800 of its people's militia. Mayroon ding 1,500 of its self-defense units na may capability to wage guerilla operations," he added.

Banlaoi said the NPA's organized mass base or its "over-all individual contacts" across the country number to about 300,000.

Unlike the members of the Abu Sayyaf group who are only staying in Mindanao, NPA forces are scattered all over the country.



Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, in the same News To Go report, meanwhile said they will have to intensify its operations against the communist rebels following President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to terminate peace talks with the communist rebels.

"After the ceasefire, we have to assess the situation. During the ceasefire they had massive recruitment and training. 'Yun ang eevaluate pa namin," said Valencia.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said government forces are waging an all-out war against the armed-component of the NPA, following Duterte's statement last Sunday that he was considering the NPA a terrorist group.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/598656/news/nation/npa-strength-wanes-but-remains-a-threat-security-analyst-says