Army: NPA numbers continue to dwindle

From the Sun Star-Davao (Apr 23): Army: NPA numbers continue to dwindle

THE Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID) said that the number of New People’s Army (NPA) members have dwindled, especially in Compostela Valley province.

Captain Jerry Lamosao, 10th ID Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) chief, said the government troops have “defeated” the state enemy in Compostela Valley with the downgrade of Guerilla Front 25 into a Section Committee.

“Guerilla Front 25 (GF25) is now downgraded to just a Section Committee as the majority of the fighters have surrendered to the Kabalikat Battalion. The 23 members of GF25 are now under the care of the 66 IB (Infantry Battalion),” Lamosao said.

The 66IB also recovered five high-powered firearms and seven anti-tank improvised explosive devices (IEDs) this week.

On April 15, the operating troops led by Captain Ricky Dioneda acted on the revelation of alias Ganggang, a former political instructor of GF25, Sub-regional Committee 1, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC), about a cache of firearms and other war material in the vicinity of Kalaberahan, Sitio Puting Bato, Barangay Ngan in Compostela Valley.

The soldiers seized one Caliber 7.62 M14 rifle with one magazine full of ammunition, one Caliber 30 M1 Carbine magazine loaded with 20 rounds ammunition, one magazine of M16 with 5.56 mm rounds.

Around 5 p.m. on the same day, another cache was found that included three dual-purpose IEDs measuring 26 centimeters (cm) in height, 71 cm in diameter, and each weighing 15 kilograms. They were identified as antitank landmines.

Meanwhile, on April 16, Lieutenant Sonny Boy M. Bueno acted on the confession of village chief Henry Tabanao and conducted combat operations at the vicinity of Purok Alimyon, Araibo village in Pantukan town. The operation resulted in the recovery of one caliber 5.56 M4 carbine with a 20 capacity magazine full of ammunition and one caliber 7.62 M14 Rifle with five full magazines of ammunition.

On April 19, a former rebel who surrendered last March 2018, revealed about firearms and IED cache. Captain Ricky Dioneda led the operating troops to Stockfile, Sitio Bantuayan, Barangay Camanlangan in New Bataan town and recovered one caliber 5.56 M16A1 rifle with two magazines full of ammunition, four dual-purpose IEDs (one weighing 25 kgs, three weighing 15 kgs each), four magazines of M14 rifle full of ammunition, one bandolier, and one backpack containing personal belongings.

The recovered weapons were left by the GF2 members as they withdrew after the encounter last March 31 2018

“As a result of the influx of surrenderers from almost all confronted guerilla fronts of the 66IB, the enemy’s strength continues to fall down in terms of personnel and war material. Morale among its members is so low, the citizenry withdrew their funds and materials support and distrust has grown enormously within the groups. Most of the Guerilla Fronts are nearing extinction,” Lieutenant Palmer Parungao, 66th IB commander said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1544167/Davao/Local-News/Army-NPA-numbers-continue-to-dwindle