TIWALA ang pamunuan ng Armed Forces of the Philippine na malapit na nilang makamtan ang inaasam na tactical victories laban sa Communist Party of the Philippines at sa armadong galamay nitong New People’s Army, at maisusulong na nang husto ang pangmatagalang peace and development.

Ayon sa AFP, umabot sa mahigit 300 kasapi ng Communist Terrorist Group sa bansa ang na-neyutralisa ng militar nito lamang buwan ng Enero hanggang Pebrero ngayong taon.

Ito’y bunsod nang mas pinaigting na focused military operations ng security forces ng pamahalaan para wasakin ang mga nalalabing weakened CPP-NPA guerilla front.

Isa sa pinaka-aktibong naninimot ng nalalabing CPP-NPA, ang AFP Visayan Command na pinamumunuan ni Lt. General Benedict Arevalo, na nito lamang buwan ng Pebrero ay may 30 NPA silang na-neyutralisa, 14 dito ang napaslang sa sagupaan.

“The success of our campaign in its early stage this year is attributed to the active support of our people, having freed them from the clutches of the terrorist group last year. This is the reason why we cannot stop. We must and we will sustain our gains, for it is through the call of our people to end the CPP-NPA in the region that we strive and will remain committed to our mandate of ending the local communist armed conflict, the soonest possible time,” ani Lt. Gen. Arevalo.

Magugunitang mismong si AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner ang nagsabing pipilitin nilang madurog ang nalalabing CPP-NPA guerilla front sa lalong madaling panahon.

Ayon kay AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, mula sa kabuuang 331 CTG members na na-neyutralisa, 286 dito ang napilitang magsalong ng sandata, 32 ang napatay sa iba’t ibang military offensives habang may 13 ang nadakip.

Nasa 175 na samu’t saring armas at 44 anti-personnel mines naman ang nakumpiska at isinuko, at 41 kuta ng NPA ang nakubkob ng militar.

Panawagan pa ni General Arevalo, “Your leaders continuously fall to the hands of the government troops. The people despise your presence, and you have seen what we are willing to offer to subdue your resistance. Embrace the call of the government and learn from the mistakes of your fallen comrades. Return to the folds of the law now while you still have the chance”.

(JESSE KABEL)