No let-up in counter-insurgency operations — Esperon

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported a continuing decline in the country’s insurgency problem as it vowed to downgrade the New People’s Army (NPA) to an insignificant group in a matter of time.

In his yearend report, AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said that for 2006, the military was able to clear 385 villages of NPA influence and reduced their number from 12,000 in 2002 to 7,100 this year.

Citing military records, Esperon said that in 2004, 2,510 barangays were under rebel influence but this had been reduced to 2,115.

Esperon also said that for 2006 alone, sustained military counter-insurgency operations resulted in the neutralization of 845 NPA rebels.

He said the most significant of the AFP’s counter-insurgency operations in 2006 was the neutralization of a CPP-NPA regional secretary and 13 guerrilla front secretaries, who either surrendered, were captured, apprehended in raids or killed in encounters.

The military also recovered 554 high-powered firearms from the insurgents.

With the sustained operational gains and momentum against the CPP-NPA, Esperon expressed optimism on the eventual defeat of the communist terrorists.

"As we all gear up to welcome the blessings and challenges of the year 2007, your AFP once more rekindles its commitment and determination to faithfully perform its constitutional task," Esperon said.

Next year, the AFP would continue to prioritize national security and heighten operations against the insurgents, Esperon vowed.

He said these military activities scheduled for next year are keeping with the framework and timetable devised by the national government.

President Arroyo has issued marching orders for the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reduce the NPA operations in Luzon to an insignificant level within two years.

In dealing with the Abu Sayyaf terrorists, Esperon said they have neutralized 81 members in the 99 encounters with them in 2006.

Most of the bandits currently stay in Sulu after changing their routes from Basilan and from most of Central Mindanao.

"They are now mostly holed up in Jolo and our troops are not letting up on them. There will be no stop on our efforts to destroy these terrorist groups and to prevent them from conducting terrorist activities," Esperon said.

He said the inroads made against the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists in Southern Mindanao reflect the AFP’s resolve to wipe out insurgency.

Next year, the AFP will launch "Bantay Laya 2," a military program to gradually defeat the country’s internal security threats in a span of 10 years.