The Philippine Army said the collaboration of the local government units led to the surrender of 3,109 rebels and supporters to the different units of the 10th Infantry Division since June 2016.
Capt Jerry Lamosao, the chief of the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said the assistance of local officials – from the mayors down to barangay chairs – has played a great factor in the surrender.
Based on the record, there were 1,467 regular members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who surrendered.
A total of 1,642 supporters – 1,185 militia ng bayan members, 363 for sangay ng partido sa lokalidad, and 94 left-leaning groups – also surrendered.
Lamosao also said 146 NPA members were killed in encounters during the period.
He said they recovered 804 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and 1,660 firearms.
Soldiers also discovered 550 enemy camps and hide outs.
Lamosao said the pronouncement of the President Rodrigo Duterte to help NPA surrenderers is also “big thing” that increases the number.
He attributed the Enhance-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) that motivates relatives to encourage NPA members to give up.
“Of course, we can’t deny that the media has big role,” Lamosao said.
