Envoy: Reds going broke

WASHINGTON – A Philippine official here has claimed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), are in financial ruins.

"While the CPP has established international networks to support the movement, it is suffering from dwindling financial and logistical resources following the inclusion of the NPA in the list of foreign terrorist organizations by the US and as a result of our diplomatic offensive," said Philippine defense attache to Washington Brig. Gen. Delfin Lorenzana.

Lorenzana said that despite the financial problems of the CPP-NPA, the communists still remains a threat.

He said the armed strength of the communist movement was reduced by 22 percent from 2001 and now stands at about 9,000. As a result of the mounting combat losses, the CPP is expected to give more emphasis on its legal struggle, Lorenzana said.

Briefing the American Foreign Policy Council on Wednesday on the prospects of peace in the Philippines, Lorenzana singled out the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front as "formidable force."

He said the MILF, from its peak force of 15,000 in 1999 was reduced to about 12,000 members "attributed mainly to the continued surrender of members resulting from demoralization among its ranks."

Lorenzana, however, warned the MILF’s links with suspected foreign terror groups renders the Philippines as "a potential base for terrorist activities or springboard for third-country operations."

He said the current situation in Mindanao could provide the basis for alliances among different threat organizations including the bandit Abu Sayyaf and the Misuari Breakaway Group.

"However, such alliances will only continue for as long as it serves their respective objectives," Lorenzana said.

Emerging from the meeting with US officials, Lorenzana declared the Philippines stands to receive $78 million in military assistance from the US this year.

On the homefront, the CPP-NPA suffered further losses after nine suspected rebels, including a woman and two boys, were killed during an encounter with government troops on Wednesday at Sitio Mahayag, Barangay San Isidro, Kananga, Leyte.

Brig. Gen. Eusebio Ramos of the Army’s 801st Brigade said troops from the 19th Infantry Battalion chanced upon a band of about 30 NPA rebels triggering a 30-minute gunbattle.

Also recovered a supposed list of targets which included police officers and local officials.

The military said the slain rebels were among those who earlier assassinated barangay officials and policemen in the area.

Officials identified some of the slain suspects as Rowena Superyo. Benjie Cabugoy, one Alburo and one Ka Joe from Villaba, Leyte.

In the Bicol region, five government troopers were killed and eight other soldiers were wounded following a two-hour gunbattle with some 60 heavily armed NPAs in Barangay Pinamaniquihan in Ligao City.

Brig. Gen. Santiago Prejido, commander of the Army 9th Infantry Brigade, identified the slain soldiers as S/Sgt. Gerry Leo Gulasoc, Cpls. Artemio Dumagpi and Adrian Opena, Pfcs. Sherwin Gumiran and Robinson Agaton.

Wounded were 2Lt. Vladimer Sta. Maria, S/Sgts. Dioscoro Barce and Jaime Handa, Corporal Felix Reodique, Pfcs. Bayangan Sapao, Sydne Bantillo, Reynaldo Pujida, Reo Rodriguez and one militiaman Joaquin Orpida. – With Miriam Garcia Desacada, Roberto Dejon, Celso Amo