By Brian Jules Campued
Continued focused military operations have reportedly neutralized communist and local terrorist groups as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) touted its achievement of bringing down the number of active guerilla fronts in the country.
The AFP reported that it has dismantled eight and weakened 14 guerilla fronts, as well as “neutralized” 67 high-value individuals from such groups in 2023.
“As of December, there are no more active CTG guerilla fronts,” the AFP confirmed in a release on Dec. 31, 2023.
It said among the top leaders neutralized by the military were Dionisio Macabalo alias Muling or Kardo, who was the Secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, and Farahudin Pumbaya Pangalian alias Abu Zacharia, who was the the Amir of Dawlah Islamiya-Philippines and Islamic State-East Asia.
It also neutralized 1,399 members of communist and local terrorist groups which led to the recovery of about 1,751 firearms.
“These accomplishments have significantly reduced the capability of these groups to carry out violent attacks against our security forces and local communities. As a result, the government can now safely implement its programs towards building a more progressive country,” the AFP said.
The AFP also noted that it is shifting its focus towards territorial defense operations particularly security in the maritime domain of the country.
“Throughout the year, the AFP conducted 28 Rotation and Reprovision (RoRe) operations and 820 Maritime and Air Patrols in the West Philippine Sea to effectively address security concerns,” the statement read.
“Such efforts led to an intensified bilateral engagement with our ally and partner countries following a rules-based international order for a secured region.”
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. said he is confident that the Armed Forces will perform its duties well in 2024 as it reaffirmed its commitment to national security and regional peace. –cf