AFP: NPA down to only 4 ‘weakened fronts,’ over 1,100 rebels

The military is now working on eradicating the four remaining weakened guerilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawer Jr. said on Friday.

In a press briefing, Brawner said the military targets to eradicate four weakened NPA guerilla fronts by the end of the year.

“About three months ago, we reported that there were seven remaining weakened guerrilla fronts. Now, there are only four. And we are expecting that by the end of the year, we will have finished all the guerrilla fronts. We will have reduced them to zero,” Brawner said.

He said these remaining weakened guerrilla fronts are operating in the Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas areas.

According to Brawner, NPA’s strength has been reduced from 2,200 fighters last year to 1,111 now.

“In terms of the strength of the New People’s Army, ay talagang mahinang-mahina na sila. So they only have about 1,111 fighters left from the 2,200 last year. So that is a big reduction in their manpower. And in terms of firearms, ganun rin ang reduction nila, about 1,000 firearms have been reduced,” he added.

(In terms of the strength of the New People’s Army, they are really weak. So they only have about 1,111 fighters left from the 2,200 last year. So that is a big reduction in their manpower. And in terms of firearms, the reduction is the same, about 1,000 firearms have been reduced.)

In October, the National Security Council (NSC) reported that alleged acting chairperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Wigberto “Baylon” Villarico, was arrested in Quezon City.

The CPP demanded the immediate release of Villarico, who was identified as a peace consultant of the National Democratic Front or the Philippines (NDFP), the political wing of the communist organization.

According to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Villarico assumed the CPP leadership after the death of Benito Tiamzon on August 22, 2022.

“Villarico was the last Communist leader at large capable of commanding both the party and its armed wing, the New People’s Army. Villarico’s capture closes the chapter on a terrorist fugitive responsible for numerous atrocities against the people,” Año said.