THE 10TH Infantry Division recorded 332 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who either surrendered, arrested, or got killed in military operations since January 2023 to date.
Speaking on Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press briefing held at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) headquarters, Major Mark Anthony Tito, the 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, said most of the operations were focused in the areas of Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur and some parts of Surigao.
Based on their records, 16 of 48 clashes were concentrated in Bukidnon where the Guerilla Front 57 operates. In these 16 operations, the military seized a total of 154 firearms.
Also, two NPA members were killed in Bukidnon and 119 regular fighters surrendered. Meanwhile, another 138 Militia ng Bayan members, along with the Sangay sa Partido Lokal (SPL), and Underground Mass Organization (UGMO), also withdrew their support for the communist group.
Moreover, Tito said the soldiers remained on high alert for the holiday season.
“Nagpabilin ang directives nga no yuletide break if wala na neutralize [the remaining rebel group]),” he said.
“Dili pud pasabot naa lang didto [Bukidnon] atoang effort but also in the region in the boundaries and hinterlands,” he added.
The 10th Infantry Division is on heightened alert status for the coming NPA anniversary on Dec. 26 even though the region has been declared insurgency-free.
