Palace: Left-wing groups in Philippines a dying breed

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang brushed aside as mere propaganda the claim of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that the insurgency movement is growing bigger and wider as the party celebrated its 47th anniversary over the weekend.

“There’s no truth to the propaganda of the CPP-New People’s Army (NPA) about their expanding forces in Eastern Mindanao,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over radio station dzRB yesterday.

Data from the Cabinet security cluster for the fourth quarter showed the NPA shrinking to 1,691 members this year from 2,035 in 2014 – a significant reduction of 17 percent.

Armed Forces of the Philippines records also indicated that the NPA used to have influence in 547 villages, but this is down to 414, or a 25 percent cut nationwide.

The rebels also saw their firearms down to 2,232 from the previous 2,383, a six percent drop in their armory.

The guerrilla front was reduced from 29 to 24, or a 17 percent decline.

He said the communist forces have declined and their deception is done simultaneously with extortion activities that they call revolutionary taxation in line with the coming elections.

In May this year, President Aquino reiterated that his administration remains open to peace talks with the CPP and its umbrella organization National Democratic Front, but noted that they must show sincerity before negotiations resume.

Talks between the government and the CPP bogged down after the rebel group sought the release of its consultants currently under government custody.

Aquino said the communist organization had offered a special track so that the talks could resume but it later backtracked.

He also recalled that early this year, he received reports from his peace adviser that instead of sticking to their list of major demands, the rebels made more unrealistic demands that were impossible to meet.

Sen. Grace Poe proposed an indefinite extension of the holiday ceasefire between government forces and the NPA.

“An extension of the ceasefire would be a goodwill gesture that could lead us back to the negotiating table. Armed conflicts must end. People are already weary of violence,” she said. With Christina Mendez