AFP expects more NPA attacks on ‘soft targets’

As government forces intensified their campaign against the NPA, the military official urged the rebels to consider the only options left available to them. (PNA PHOTO)

MANILA— Following their tactical defeat in Nasugbu, Batangas last week, the remaining New People’s Army (NPA) bandits are expected to intensify their attacks against “soft targets”.

This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo late Sunday when asked on the sudden increase of rebel attacks in police outposts and civilians nationwide in Bicol, Cagayan, and Misamis Oriental.

“Those were meant to make up for the tactical defeats they have experienced in view of the intensified focused military operations. Chief of which is the successful operations in Nasugbu, Batangas that led to the neutralization of 14 members of the communist terrorists and seizure of 12 high-powered firearms,” he said.

Aside from the deaths of rebels in Batangas, one was also wounded and captured by the military.

“We may add that just for the month of November, 119 New Peoples Army were neutralized: 21 died, 29 were arrested, 69 surrendered. A total of 62 high powered and low powered firearms were seized,” Arevalo pointed out.

As government forces intensified their campaign against the NPA, the military official urged the rebels to consider the only options left available to them.

“Take advantage of the opportunity for them to surface and be reunited with their family; join mainstream society; and be productive members of the community by availing of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program. Or suffer the same fate of their cohorts who died refusing to see the better alternative offered by government,” Arevalo said.

For the sake of their families and loved ones, the AFP public affairs office chief hopes that the communist rebels choose to surrender and return to the fold of the law.