NATIONAL Security Adviser Eduardo Año reported a further decrease in the number of “weakened” guerrilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Año, also vice chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), expressed confidence government will dismantle the five remaining guerrilla fronts this year.
“The target of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is December 2024,” he said on Tuesday night.*
Last month, Año said seven weakened NPA guerrilla fronts remain, and the government was “on the verge” of dismantling the NPA units.
There were 89 “active” guerrilla fronts when the NTF-ELCAC was established in 2018. The task force, chaired by the President, is composed of many agencies, including the Armed Forces.
Año said there is a need to sustain the campaign against the insurgents to prevent recruitment of new fighters. Military estimates placed the NPA strength at around 1,000 from a high of 25,000 in the 1980s.
“It’s hard to address recruitment if you are going to pause, stop the dialogue, consultation efforts. This should continue, especially in white areas (urban areas) where they (NPAs) are recruiting,” he said.
Año said the government is now in the “finishing touches” in its campaign against the 55-year-old insurgency problem.
“Sometimes, it’s the finishing touches that’s hard to do,” he said.
