With the neutralization of some high profiled leaders of the New Peoples’ Army and the remaining (3) three guerilla groups, the Philippine Army expects the NPA to have weakened leadership right after the fall of Menandro Villanueva or Ka Bok and the dismantled of Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 5 and Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC).
However, with the coming National and Local election, the remaining forces could still pursue their extortion activities as disclosed by the Phil. Army 10th ID under the Joint Task Force Agila in a presentation of their accomplishments during the Regional Peace and Order Council held at the Police Regional Office XI in Camp Sgt. Quintin Merecido in Buhangin, Davao City last Friday ( February 4).
Data from the 10th ID showed that in 2016, the division confronted 9 Sub-Regional Command, 17 guerilla fronts, 6 Pulang Bagani Companies that composed of 33 NPA platoons. With the change of administration and the implementation of the whole of nation approach or EO -70 or the National Task Force to End local Communist Armed Conflict, SRC are now down to 3, GFs to 5, SRGU with 2 that composed of 7 NPA platoons and dismantled SRGU and Pulang Bagani Command.
Significant downtrend of atrocities and NPA initiated violent activities were effects of the relentless efforts of the military operation in their area of responsibility. It was noted that in in the 1st quarter of 2021 there were 132 incidence compared to this year’s 1st quarter with 46 incidence.
The 10th ID was hopeful and positive that the continued decline in insurgency will reach the end of the scourge before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s term ends due to the latest trend which has recorded zero NIVIs from 01 Jan 2021 up to 31 Jan 2022.
RPOC Chair and Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang in a separate interview, is confident that the military particularly the 10th Infantry Division will be able to reach their zero insurgency target.
Governor Dayanghirang stressed the council’s support and lauded the contribution of the Philippine Army particularly the Commander of the 10th ID Major General Ernesto C. Torres Jr in maintaining the peace and order situation in Davao Region. (PIA XI/Elvira May Suico)
