NEARLY a thousand communist rebels, terrorists and their supporters have been “neutralized” this year, the Armed Forces said.
In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo last Tuesday, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said 871 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and supporters were neutralized from January 1 to June 12.
Of the number, 776 surrendered, 44 were apprehended and 51 were killed in military operations.
“A total of 419 firearms and 257 anti-personnel mines were either seized or surrendered, and 80 encampments were seized,” said Padilla.
In the fight against terrorist groups, Padilla said 112 terrorists and their supporters were neutralized during the same period — 103 surrendered, two were apprehended and seven were killed.
Padilla said 123 firearms and five anti-personnel mines were either seized or surrendered by the terrorists.
She said five terrorist camps were captured.
“The numbers do not lie, neither does our resolve,” Padilla said, referring to the number of neutralized enemies and the military’s resolve to end all threat groups.
“With hundreds neutralized and dozens of camps dismantled, the enemy’s grip is loosening because our presence is tightening (the noose on them),” said Padilla.
