Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City, Philippines – The strength of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Southern Luzon declined by 18 percent compared to last year, the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) said in a statement.
Solcom commander Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali said the number of firearms and communist-infested barangays have also dropped.
“Enemy atrocity against government forces posted a significant decrease particularly in Southern Tagalog area. This decrease was attributed to the improvement of force protection and gaining of confidence from the people,” he said.
Detabali said peace and security efforts resulted in the neutralization of more than 105 NPAs who were either killed in encounters, captured, arrested or voluntarily surrendered.
He also cited the medical and dental missions and environmental projects initiated by Solcom hand and hand with the military operations.
“Troops are involved in tree planting activities, coastal cleanup drives, anti-illegal logging, anti-illegal fishing, drive against illegal drugs and waste disposal in different communities in Southern Luzon,” Detabali said.