Insurgents’ manpower reduced to around 2,000 — AFP’s Bacarro

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said the outlawed New People’s Army is left with only 2,112 members.

“In terms of reducing the number of yung tinatawag nating powered factors ng enemy, in terms of their manpower, we have reduced them to 2,112,” AFP chief Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro said at a press conference.

He added the firearms of the rebels have been reduced to around 1,800.

According to Bacarro, the military is now focusing on active guerrilla fronts in around 154 barangays in the country.

From a total of 89 guerilla fronts in 2018, Bacarro said the AFP is now only going after 24 remaining groups. Of the remaining groups, 19 are already weakening and close to being dismantled, he added.

“So we are left with only five guerrilla fronts right now so that is the challenge that we have right now, addressing the remaining five guerilla fronts in the areas of Northern Samar and South Cotabato,” he said.

Recently, Davao’s Regional Peace and Order Council signed a resolution declaring the entire region as free from insurgency.

Bacarro said the next areas that will be declared free from insurgency are provinces Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News