Friday, September 29, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
    • Young Life
  • Special Pages
    • Pets
    • Tech
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • On the Road
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Cravings
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • Agriculture
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
    • Young Life
  • Special Pages
    • Pets
    • Tech
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • On the Road
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Cravings
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • Agriculture
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion Columns About Town by Ernesto M. Hilario

Are the days of the NPA numbered?

Ernesto M. HilariobyErnesto M. Hilario
November 9, 2022, 12:10 am
in About Town by Ernesto M. Hilario, Columns, Opinion
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

“The days of the NPA may be numbered, but ‘strategic victory’ for the government may not really translate into lasting peace in the near-term”

Last September, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared strategic victory against the communist-led rebellion by the New People’s Army (NPA).

The basis of this declaration, according to Acting DND Secretary Jose Faustino Jr., was the dismantling of more than 75 percent of guerrilla fronts nationwide. He said that from 89 in July 2016, there were now only five active NPA guerrilla fronts remaining.

The NPA’s capabilities, he added, have significantly diminished in the last few years due to the concerted efforts of the security sector.

For his part, DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong reported that as of September 20, a total 2,890 conflict-affected villages had been cleared through the AFP’s development support and security plan “Kapayapaan” and the DND’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Citing AFP data, Andolong said from July 1, 2016 to Sept. 26, 2022, a total 10,608 regular NPA members were neutralized, and more than 41,000 underground members, mass supporters and sympathizers withdrew their support from the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF).

The DND said a total 4,644 NPA members were neutralized during the same period while a total 1,386 cities/municipalities and 31,254 villages nationwide had declared the CPP-NPA persona non grata.

Faustino gave credit to the contribution of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to the government’s campaign against armed groups: “This victory, of course, cannot be credited only to the DND and AFP. We are inching closer to total victory, and the defense organization is hopeful for the continued support of the Filipino people.”

The defense and military establishment’s optimistic assessment of the national security situation is also based on battlefield successes by the AFP.

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), for instance, claims to have dismantled a total 26 guerrilla fronts of the NPA from 2017 to August 2022.

The Eastmincom chief reported that out of 56 guerrilla fronts destroyed, 18 were dismantled during his incumbency, or 50 percent of the total NPA units dissolved in Eastern Mindanao for the past six years.

Eastmincom said its joint task forces would be able to dismantle the few remaining guerrilla fronts and NPA vertical units in its coverage area through focused military operations, intensified stakeholder engagements, and support from former rebels.

So far, Eastmincom claims it has neutralized a total 4,797 NPA members since 2016, with 3,579 surrendered, 524 captured and 403 killed. The command also neutralized a total 101 top-ranking leaders, including national-level personalities.

Eastmincom troops also captured 1,388 anti-personnel mines and 4,607 assorted firearms composed of 2,732 high-powered and 1,875 low-powered weapons during combat operations, and facilitated the surrender of NPA members.

These battlefield accomplishments reflect the accelerated pace of counter-insurgency operations by the military.

In March this year, then Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana “there is more to be done” to put an end to the communist insurgency.

Lorenzana lamented that over the years, the NPA had committed lawless activities such as extortion and destruction of civilian-owned properties.

But he also pointed out that thousands of former rebels have been given the chance to become productive members of the society when they returned to the fold of the law.

While saying that a number of rebels have given up their firearms in exchange for a more peaceful life, “still, more efforts have to be exerted to end the armed conflict…Even as we enjoy the dividends of peace, we continue our mission to secure our communities, encourage the rebels to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and finally put a stop to the decades-long communist armed conflict in the country.”

More recently, the DND assessed the NPA strength at only 2,000 regulars.

If this is true, this represents a significant decline from the 25,000 regulars that the military itself said was the peak of the rebels’ armed strength in the 1980s.

What the numbers suggest is that the military wants to declare all-out war against the communist-led rebels rather than accede to the stand of National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos for the Marcos Jr. administration to resume peace talks with the NDF.

We recall that that military had vowed to crush the NPA before the end of the Duterte administration.

That hasn’t happened, with occasional skirmishes between government troops and NPA guerrillas still taking place in various areas in the country.

To answer our own question, therefore, the days of the NPA may be numbered, but “strategic victory” for the government may not really translate into lasting peace in the near-term.

(Email: [email protected])

Tags: AFPArmed Forces of the PhilippinesCommunist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic FrontCPP-NDFDepartment of National DefenseDNDErnesto M. HilarioNew People’s ArmyNPA
ADVERTISEMENT
Ernesto M. Hilario

Ernesto M. Hilario

Related Posts

Are POGOs good to go?

byManila Standard
September 29, 2023, 12:20 am
0
8
Are POGOs good to go?

The debate on whether Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs should go or stay may be over soon. That’s because...

Read more

Time for POGOs to go

byEmil Jurado
September 29, 2023, 12:15 am
0
8
Denying Villafuerte justice

Washington in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty has regarded its obligation to defend the Philippines in case of conflict with...

Read more

Proof of payment

byTranquil G.S. Salvador III
September 29, 2023, 12:10 am
0
8
Why literature is relevant

When property is alienated to the creditor in satisfaction of a debt in money it shall be considered as dation...

Read more

Diokno should give up his excessive salary first

byLouis 'Barok' Biraogo
September 29, 2023, 12:05 am
0
8
Anti-Duterte RTC judges seek appointment to CA

Since Diokno says the country does not have enough money, he can help the State by waiving in favor of...

Read more

Are Filipinos safer, more secure today?

byErnesto M. Hilario
September 29, 2023, 12:00 am
0
8
Denying Villafuerte justice

Smuggling, hoarding and profiteering are considered as economic sabotage and the government should run after those involved in these illegal...

Read more

Protecting human rights defenders

byManila Standard
September 28, 2023, 12:15 am
0
8
Protecting human rights defenders

If human rights defenders are an endangered species, Senator Risa Hontiveros believes what they need is adequate protection from harassment...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • Stocks end six-day gains on profit-taking
  • Vietnam’s GDP grew 5.3% in third quarter
  • Indonesia to build Bali light rail to ease traffic
  • Globe turns over 29 towers to MIESCOR for P348m
  • Encouraging the youth to venture into farming 
  • Leonie Agri Corp. opens its doors to int’l market 
  • Cultivating change and prosperity through GAP farming 
  • DA rolls out permanent KADIWA stores in BPI centers

Advertisement

Latest News

Leonie Agri Corp. opens its doors to int’l market 

byManila Standard
September 29, 2023, 8:20 pm
0
8
DA rolls out permanent KADIWA stores in BPI centers

Leonie Agri Corp. (LAC) steps into the international market via the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) - Department of...

Read more

Cultivating change and prosperity through GAP farming 

byManila Standard
September 29, 2023, 8:10 pm
0
8
DA rolls out permanent KADIWA stores in BPI centers

By Leny D. Mendoza In the peaceful highlands of Aguid, Sagada, Mountain Province, a remarkable transformation unfolds on the green...

Read more

DA rolls out permanent KADIWA stores in BPI centers

byManila Standard
September 29, 2023, 8:00 pm
0
8
DA rolls out permanent KADIWA stores in BPI centers

By Pamela Ruth Arciaga, DA-AFID After assessing the market value of agribusiness hubs in government premises with direct access to...

Read more

Trump, in campaign mode, backs off abortion

byAFP
September 29, 2023, 7:50 pm
0
8

Washington, DC—Donald Trump never misses a chance to remind voters that he was the one to appoint three justices to...

Read more

China’s gateway to North Korea waits for border opening

byAFP
September 29, 2023, 7:45 pm
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

Dandong,  China—Stranded North Korean workers and merchants who rely on cross-border trade see scant signs that the frontier with China...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
    • Young Life
  • Pets
  • Tech
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Cravings
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Agriculture
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App