AFP says internal security threats weakened

The New People’s Army’s capability to wage war and influence rural communities has been weakened last year, according to the military.

Speaking over radio dzBB, Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Armed Forces public affairs chief, said the military’s combat and non-combat operations have reduced the NPA’s manpower by nine percent to 5,239, and its firearms by five percent at the end of 2008.

“Most significant is the reduction of the number of guerrilla fronts because at the start of the year they have 87,” he said.

“At the end of 2008, they are left with 62 so we can say now that we are hitting the communist terrorist movement simultaneously in their political and military components.”

Torres said barangays under NPA influence have been reduced by 28 percent, from 1,919 at the start of the year to 1,381 at yearend.

Troops would continue to reduce the figures to render the NPA an inconsequential force by 2010, he added.

Torres sees a peaceful solution to the 40-year-old communist rebellion after the stalled peace talks are resumed.

“As of the moment it seems the National Democratic Front is not showing sincerity in their intentions of having the talks because of recent violent activities that they have conducted right after Christmas Day,” he said.

“But we would continue our operations to deny them the chance to commit atrocities against the people.”

Torres said the military also hopes that the conflict in Mindanao would be settled without sacrificing the law enforcement operations against rouge commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that led attacks on civilian populations in central Mindanao, particularly the provinces of Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani.

“Based on reports coming in from our field units, some of them are responsible for the series of explosions in central Mindanao and the harassment of communities,” he said.

Torres said the military was able to stop the Abu Sayyaf from committing large-scale terrorist attacks.

“We were able to neutralize about 62 ASG members and also, out of about more than 300 ASG members, 94 have warrants of arrest and 64 of them are included in joint DND-DILG rewards list,” he said. – James Mananghaya