• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) has reported remarkable achievements in the five years of the implementation of Executive Order 70, which institutionalized the whole-of- nation approach in addressing the root causes of insurgency, in Western and Central Visayas regions.
Among these are the dismantling of six guerilla fronts and the weakening of the remaining three fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Data of the 3ID showed that in the two regions, the NPA now only has 149 remaining members, from a total workforce of 330 in 2018, while their firepower has significantly dwindled to merely 171 from 456 during the same period.
The concerted efforts of the Community Support Program teams of the 3ID, local government units, government agencies, and stakeholders have assisted in clearing conflict-affected villages.
Their efforts have paved the way to provide 272 formerly insurgency-ridden barangays in Western and Central Visayas with projects under the Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict that offer long-term solutions to the socio-economic problems of the residents.
These include more than P3 billion worth of projects such as farm-to-market roads, electrification projects, school buildings, health initiatives, drainage and potable water systems, assistance to needy individuals, and support for local farmers with equipment and inputs.
From January 2019 to present, the 3ID has launched 284 armed engagements, resulting in the neutralization of 612 leaders and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA and surrender of 1,217 members of Militia ng Bayan/Yunit Militia.
Among the neutralized regular NPA fighters, 151 had been killed in encounters, 296 surrendered, and 165 were captured and apprehended.
Also, a total of 781 firearms were seized during the same period.
Some 982 former rebels received benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which include immediate and livelihood assistance, firearms remuneration, and reintegration aid.
The CPP-NPA and its political wing, National Democratic Front, have also been declared as persona non-grata by seven provinces, 31 cities, 228 municipalities, and 4,274 barangays in Regions 6 and 7. | GB
