Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – As 2023 is about to end, the Visayas Command (VISCOM) informs that the CPP-NPA in the Visayas region are devastated after suffering shattering blows and irrecoverable damages against the government forces during the period, this according to Lt General Benedict Arevalo.
General Arevalo , revealed that from 01 January to date, 162 government-initiated armed encounters transpired throughout the Visayas region, 80 of which were in Eastern Visayas, while 82 were in Central and Western Visayas.
These encounters led to the neutralization of 607 NPA terrorists; 84 of whom died during encounters, 25 were apprehended, and 498 returned to the folds of the law.
These include ten (10) high-value NPA personalities such as the Tiamzon couple, whom the terrorist group has confirmed, and 20 Finance Officers. These are apart from the 490 Mass Supporters who denounced their support from the terrorist group and pledged their allegiance to the government.
Likewise, a total of 441 assorted firearms were also seized during the period; 153 of which were surrendered while the 288 were either seized during encounters or recovered as revealed by former rebels.
Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM lauded the troops for their ‘unrelenting efforts to end the local communist armed conflict in the region and free the people from the menace of the terrorist group’, as he expressed that “This significant progress in our fight against the CPP-NPA is not only an accomplishment of the AFP but also the accomplishment of all the peace-loving people in the Visayas region.”
It is through their active support and collaboration that led us to this milestone. Our people’s longing for peace remains our driving force and motivation in performing our mandate to the highest level of efficacy,” Ltgen Arevalo added
It was also disclosed that this severe reduction of the manpower and armed capability of the CPP-NPA significantly contributed to the clearing of 343 NPA-infested communities, cooptation of 20 NPA-affected Mass Organizations and the dismantling of 17 NPA-affected Sectoral Front Organizations, paving the way for the dismantling of five (5) Guerilla Fronts during the period, as affirmed by the National Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (NJPSCC).
These guerilla fronts include Central Negros 1 of the NPAs Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor (KR NCBS); Front Committee 1 and Front Committee 2 of Sub-Regional Committee Emporium (SRC Emporium); and Front 3 and Front 15 of Sub-Regional Committee Arctic (SRC Arctic).
Lt Gen Arevalo added that amidst this significant progress in their internal security efforts, there is still much that needs to be done, “There is still so much that needs to be done. As long as there are still unresolved issues in the community, the threat of resurgence will remain.”
Barangay Development Program (BDP) is the hallmark program of the NTF ELCAC aimed to resolve the issues exploited by the CPP-NPA, capacitate the community, and prevent resurgence in previously declared cleared areas. For the period, it was informed that a total of 739 projects and programs under the BDP have been implemented throughout the Visayas region; 299 of which were in Eastern Visayas and 440 were in Central and Western Visayas. Meanwhile, for the areas still awaiting the implementation of projects and programs under the BDP, a total of 120 Mobile Community Sustainment Support Teams (MCSST) were deployed by VISCOM to sustain their gains and prevent the resurgence of the CPP-NPA.
Lt Gen Arevalo then concluded as he reassured that there would be no let-up in their operation and urge the remnants of the CPP-NPA to return to the folds of the law, “We will not be complacent. There will be no let-up in our security operations to ensure the safety and security of our people. With that, we urge the remnants of the CPP-NPA in the entire Visayas region to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law while they still can.
Embrace the call of our government for reconciliation and join us in welcoming the new year with hope and aspiration of lasting peace and prosperity for all our people.”
