PNP to lead anti-insurgency campaign in June

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The military is confident that it has reduced the capability and strength of the New People’s Army (NPA) with the police taking over the lead role in the anti-insurgency campaign in the next three months, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Delfin Bangit said yesterday.

Bangit said the AFP has already turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) the anti-insurgency campaign in Northern Luzon, Cavite, Laguna and Marinduque, and Bohol in the Visayas region.

Bangit said the AFP has fulfilled its role in reducing the NPA strength from as high as 24,000 fighters to just 4,000. He added communist fronts were also neutralized across much of the country.

Bangit made the assessment amid the previous target of the military to dismantle the NPA by 2010.

He said the reduction of NPA operations, strength and fronts are all indicators that the military have reduced the threat posed by the communist rebel group.

“We are confident that we have reduced (NPA) to a level that the PNP can assume the responsibility,” Bangit said.

Bangit, however, clarified military forces would still be there to assist the PNP in the anti-insurgency campaign.

“It is just a changing of the guard as far as primary responsibility is concerned. The PNP will take the lead role,” Bangit said. – Roel Pareño