RECOVERED FIREARMS. The Army's 23rd Infantry Brigade display the firearms and other materials they recovered after a 15-minute firefight with the New People’s Army rebels in Sitio San Jose, Barangay Durian in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte on Dec. 4, 2019. President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday (July 12, 2021) expressed hope that government forces would be able to dismantle all the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) by the end of his term next year. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed hope that government forces would be able to dismantle all the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) by the end of his term next year.
Duterte acknowledged the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to dismantle all remaining guerrilla fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
"I would like to thank again the Armed Forces of the Philippines for continuing the dismantling of so many guerrilla fronts throughout the country. I'd like to say that it is a job well done and if this continues, the CPP-NPA-NDF will see the truce of death," he said in his pre-recorded Talk to the People.
"We might be able to hopefully dismantle all by the time I get out of the office," he added.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles reported the recent government's counter-insurgency efforts such as the dismantling of Kilusang Larangan Gerilya (KLG)—Sierra Madre of the New People's Army (NPA) in San Fernando Pampanga.
"The AFP continues to work of dismantling of other CTGs such the Tarlac-Zambales KLG and the south part committees," Nograles said.
He said the internal peace, security, stability, and development have been sustained in Region 3 (Central Luzon) through the government's multi-pronged initiatives under the flagship framework of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
The government has been implementing the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) for the rebel returnees including the provision of financial assistance, firearm remuneration, and livelihood skills training.
The CPP-NPA-NDF is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
