GUIPOS, Zamboanga del Sur, 9 Nov (PIA) - The Philippine Army wholeheartedly thanked the former rebels for their significant contribution to the government's anti-insurgency campaign.
This was revealed by Brigadier General Leonel Nicolas, commander of the 102nd Brigade, Philippine Army in front of the army and former rebels during the 47th anniversary of the founding anniversary of the brigade held by the 53rd Infantry Battalion, Camp David Sabido in Guipos town recently.
Nicolas said that the implementation of the anti-insurgency campaign by the Philippine Army on August 19, 2019 has already shown good results because the number and strength of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in Western Mindanao has decreased.
He also said that with the serious implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order No. 70 or “whole of the nation-approach”, the army conducted focused military operations in the mountains resulting in a decrease in its number where, of the 198 CPP-NPA members operating in the mountains, only 93 remained.
Nicolas also reported that of the 168 firearms owned by the CPP-NPAs in the mountains, only 82 are now left with 86 firearms already handed over by the FRs to the government as they avail of Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
"We are very grateful to you FRs for helping the soldiers in contacting your brothers and relatives who want to get down and back into the folds of the law, and you also informed us of their location in the mountains," Nicolas said.
He said half of the CPP-NPA members have returned to the government and have already received assistance from the national and provincial governments and most of them have undergone training.
He added that in the past, it was reported that 35 barangays were controlled by the CPP-NPA, but now there are no barangays controlled by the group because it has been cleared by the troops.
He also thanked the 53rd IB led by LtCol. Jo-ar Herrera for the dedication of their work saying that a number of rebels have already surrendered to the government and it is expected that all rebels in the government will surrender before the end of the year 2022.
Meanwhile, Herrera informed the brigade commander that the battalion is boosting the morale and welfare of their men and women by giving recognition to deserving troops and improving facilities around headquarters including the construction of a circumferencial road, half-way house, multi-purpose covered court, and conducting trainings.
He also said that the men and women of the unit are being cared for and that they are continuing to develop the warfighting skills of the troops.
“We continue to develop the warfighting skills of the troops as part of their opportunity to build, train and motivate because I believe that a well motivated and trained soldier is the best weapon to defeat the enemy,” Herrera concluded.
The event was highlighted with giving of awards to deserving personnel and distribution of food packs to FRs. (RVC/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1058402
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