By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday announced that a total of 354 New People’s Army (NPA) members and supporters were neutralized from Jan. 1 to April 10 this year.
Of the total, 303 surrendered to government security forces, 25 were apprehended, and 26 were killed in military operations, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
“Neutralize” is a military term that refers to the taking out of action, either through surrender, capture or in military encounters.
“A total of 250 firearms and 116 anti-personnel mines were either seized or surrendered and 54 encampments were seized (in the same period),” Padilla added.
The military earlier said all but one of 89 NPA guerilla fronts were already neutralized.
Padilla reiterated the military’s appeal to remaining NPA members and supporters to surrender and avail of the government’s amnesty program.
She said the “doors of peace will not be open forever” as the amnesty period is only until next year. (PNA)
