863 NPA members, supporters give up

From the Mindanao Times (Feb 10): 863 NPA members, supporters give up

At least 860 communist members and supporters have surrendered to the authorities in Davao.

The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division has recorded 64 regular members and 799 supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) – a total of 863 — to have surrendered in the region since last month.

 Capt. Jerry Lamosao, spokesperson of 10th ID, credited the continued conduct of its Community Support Program (CSP), part of its Development Support and Security Plan (DSSP) Kapayapaan, which aims not only to secure communities from violence and insurgency but also securing them from poverty, hunger, and other major social issues that slowly cripples down the marginalized sectors.

Speaking on Wednesday’s AFP- PNP press conference Lamosao said that 799 supporters who surrendered were members of Sangay sa Partido sa Lokalidad, Militiang Bayan, Underground Mass Organization and other left-leaning organizations.

They also recovered 38 surrendered firearms.

As of Feb. 7, they have recorded 15 encounters and seized 22 firearms and 26 improvised explosive devices (IED). They also discovered 17 enemy encampments.

Based on their record, there were 9 CPP-NPA killed and two other members arrested.

On the side of the government, there were two soldiers killed in action (one regular and one militiaman) and 12 wounded (five regular and seven militiamen) and lost two firearms.

“Our focused military operation continues, especially after there were two IPs killed in Talaingod (Davao del Norte),” Lamosao said. “We intensify the presence of the soldiers in that area.”

He said the army’s information dissemination continues “as we also urge the public to report to their local chief executives and AFP and police in your area the presence of any terrorist group.

“With this, we may be able to prevent atrocities.”

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