Monday, December 17, 2018

ARMY: Gov't winning battle for minds of people vs. NPA

From the Mindanao Times (Dec 17): ARMY: Gov't winning battle for minds of people vs. NPA

The 10TH Infantry Division claimed that the military is already winning the war against the Communist insurgency as the government continues to pour in investments in the countryside.
 
"We are winning in the sense that there are more projects that was not done before because of the presence of the armed group,” Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the spokesperson of 10th infantry Division, said.
 
He said the New People's Army has been extorting businesses even if the projects are still being planned. They even ask up to 20% of the project cost and harass workers and torch heavy equipment if they refuse.
 
But he said they haven't recorded any reports of torched heavy equipment in the third quarter and fourth quarter of 2018. He thanked the people in the community for providing them with necessary information of NPA activities.
 
Based on their record from Jan. 1 to date, the army recovered 214 low and high powered firearms, and recovered 112 guns from different encounters, which also killed 30 guerrillas and the arrest of 43 NPAs.
 
During that span, former rebels also surrendered 419 firearms and 263 anti-personnel explosive devices.
 
In the region, the 10th ID also said 118 encampments were already overrun by the soldiers.
 
"This is just part of the achievement of the military but not just purely military because these are all consolidated efforts of the local government units, local chief executives and with the program of the President on the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)," Lamosao said.
 
"With the sincerity of the government, more NPAs are returning now to the government. With the E-CLIP, automatic there is livelihood assistance, housing project, and free enrollment on PhilHealth and in schools," he added.
 
For the E-CLIP, they partnered with Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Public works and Highways, National Housing Authority, Department of Social welfare and Development to help the former rebels.
 

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