MANILA — The recent mass surrender of New People’s Army (NPA) fighters is an indication that the communist rebel idealogy is losing steam and now dying.
The statement was made by Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva on Friday, saying the people “are already fed up about the false promises and the atrocities committed by NPA terrorists.”
“The high number of NPA terrorists who returned to the folds of the law, some even brought with them their weapons, is an indication that the NPA’s ideology is dying,” he added.
The military earlier announced that a total of 188 NPA fighters surrendered during the first three weeks of January.
The surrenderees would be given livelihood and financial assistance to aid their reintegration to society.
“The government (has) a good package for those who will return to the folds of the law,” Villanueva said.
He added that the PA, under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, will continue to improve its capability to attain a credible posture to be more responsive to the government’s thrust of establishing a lasting peace and development for the country. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
