AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay. (Screengrab from Laging Handa briefing)
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said it continues to win the war against communist insurgency in the country as it has neutralized over 7,000 members of the communist terrorist New People's Army (NPA) so far this year.
"From January this year, mahigit 7,000 na ang ating na-neutralize na NPA. Karamihan dyan ay nag-surrender, mga 6,600. Then 1,991 ang nasawi sa mga engkwentro with security forces at 250 naman ang na-apprehend. (we have neutralized more than 7,000 NPA members. Around 6,600 of them surrendered, 1,991 died in clashes with security forces and 250 were apprehended)," AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay said in a Laging Handa briefing.
He added that government troops have seized over 1,500 firearms in various security operations against communist terrorists.
"What we want to highlight is the confiscation of 491 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used by communist terrorists. The NPA continues to use landmines and IEDs bagama't pinagbabawal ito sa (even if these are prohibited under the) International Humanitarian Law," Gapay added.
Gapay, meanwhile, reported that from Jan. 1 to Dec. 4 this year, government forces have neutralized 187 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group and seized 134 firearms from them in intensified security operations.
A total of 232 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were also neutralized since the start of this year who yielded a total of 193 firearms.
He added that military troops has also neutralized 61 members of the ISIS-inspired Maute Group and recovered 52 firearms from them.
Gapay, meanwhile, dismissed allegations of red-tagging and insisted that is merely conducting a public awareness campaign regarding allies of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
"Nais ko lang sabihin muli na ang (I just want to say again that the) AFP is not engaged in red-tagging kundi (but) truth-tagging, sinasabi lang namin yung kung ano yung totoo, pawang katotohanan (we are just telling the truth, the mere truth) and we are unmasking itong mga (these) personalities and organizations involved with the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front) na ang kanilang (that their) ultimate goal really is to overthrow our government and supplant our democratic ways with communist rule through armed struggle, through violent means," Gapay said in a separate radio interview.
He added that the allies of the communist terrorists are using every possible means to erode and destroy government institutions in line with their goals.
However, Gapay said that should the CPP-NPA and its allies to do using violent means, then they have to contend with the AFP which has the constitutional mandate to protect the people from such threats.
Also, he added that there are now a lot of ways and means to seek change peacefully in the Philippines.
And when asked whether there will be a ceasefire with the CPP-NPA for the holiday season, Gapay said the AFP is still in the process of assessing it based on the situation on the ground.
"But overall, initially, ang (the) sentiment is we're not bent on recommending any ceasefire for the holidays. Yung lessons of the past, talagang everytime magkakaroon tayo ng (everytime we have a) holiday truce with the CPP-NPA ay marami silang (they have a lot of) violations and these are human rights violation na rin (too). Imagine last year, kaka-announce pa lang ng ceasefire (the ceasefire was just announced), during the holidays, inatake na kaagad, in-ambush na agad yung mga tropa natin, magpatuloy yung kanilang mga extortion sa mga communities. (they attacked and ambushed our troops and push through with extortion in communities)," Gapay said.
He added that a ceasefire truce must be mutually followed by two warring parties.
"But ang problema into, laging one-sided, laging ang AFP na lang ang tumatalima sa mga (The problem is it is always one-sided. It is only the AFP who complies with the) provisions (of the) holiday truce or ceasefire," Gapay said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
