WITHDRAWING SUPPORT FROM THE NPA. Former supporters of the New People's Army (NPA) joining an anti-NPA rally in Las Navas town, Northern Samar in this May 20, 2022 photo. The clearing of 96 villages from the influence of NPA this year has paralyzed the communist terrorist group in several communities in the province, an official said on Thursday (Oct. 13, 2022). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)
TACLOBAN CITY – The clearing of 96 villages from the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) this year has paralyzed the communist terrorist group in several communities in Northern Samar Province, an official said on Thursday.
The surrender of hundreds of staunch supporters in villages is a big loss to the NPA since they are the providers of food, funds, supplies, and valuable information to the rebels, said Philippine Army 20th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Joemar Buban in a phone interview.
As of this month, of the 97 NPA-infiltrated areas in the 2nd legislative district of Northern Samar identified in 2021, only one is still up for clearing, the Hinagonoyan village in Catubig town.
“Members of their organized group have stopped giving support to NPA. Our estimate is that the NPA can collect up to PHP11,000 monthly in each of the 97 villages or about PHP11 million in one year in 2nd district alone,” Buban told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The NPA used to extort money from residents, farm owners, and local businessmen to support their armed struggle and contribute funds to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Other sources were farmlands grabbed by NPA from landowners in Northern Samar and had been under the control of their mass organization.
“Member of this group are required to remit a big share of the farm produce to the NPA. From other landowners, they used to collect 20 percent of the farm income,” Buban said.
After an armed encounter on Oct. 10 in San Miguel village in Las Navas town, soldiers recovered several letters from a dead NPA member demanding money from local businesses.
The clash killed Jonny Albario, a notorious NPA member who is responsible for the fatal shooting of a soldier and perpetrators of the ambush using anti-personnel mines that killed some government troops this year.
The clash also led to the capture of Gonay Rosco, a member of NPA’s Yunit Militia in San Miguel village who joined the terrorist movement in 2021.
Information provided by villagers led to the neutralization of notorious NPA members, according to the Philippine Army. (PNA)
