By Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The recent surrenders of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) fighters and their supporters is a strong indication that they are now convinced that only the government can provide them with the means to better their lives and those of their loved ones.
“Ipinapakita sa pagsukong ito ng mga miyembro dati ng NPA ang katapatan at kanilang nakikita na pag-asa sa ating pamahalaan na bumubuti ang kanilang kalagayan kung sila ay susuko sa ating pamahalaan. Pinapakita nito rin at kinukumpirma ang sinasabi ng mga naunang sumuko sa kanilang hanay na sila ay nahihirapan na sa paglaban sa ating pamahalaan, sila ay nagugutom at kinukulang na sa kanilang mga suplay at higit sa lahat, nakikita natin (These surrenders show that the former NPA members know that the government is sincere in giving them hope and improving their lives once they decide to drop their arms and stop their armed struggle as they starve and run out of supplies. Most of all, we see that) the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict ay nagpapakita lamang na nagiging epektibo ang ating pamahalaan sa pag-integrate ng lahat ng (shows that the government is succeeding in integrating all efforts of) local government agencies, national government agencies (and) local government units,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a media briefing Tuesday afternoon.
“Around 1, 800 NPA fighters and supporters have surrendered in the first four months of the year.
Arevalo said the figure is an indication that the number of the terrorist CPP-NPA regular members and supporters has decreased and is constantly declining.
“And we expect the number to taper down as it should be the case, again, others variables remaining constant,” the AFP spokesperson said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
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