AFP’s vow to reduce Reds’ strength by half in 2018 ‘delusional’ — CPP

MANILA, Philippines — The Communist Party of the Philippines said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is “delusional” for thinking that it could cut the number of communist rebels by half this year.

“Much like its president, the AFP is delusional in saying that it will finish off the New People’s Army or in AFP Chief Rey Guererro’s reprise, reduce the NPA ‘by half’ by the middle of 2018,” CPP said in a statement Thursday.

Guerrero estimated there are currently around 3,700 rebels during the military and defense department’s annual New Year call.

CPP noted that Guerrero’s pronouncement contradicted Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s statement that finishing off the NPA in one year is “far-fetched.”

CPP, moreover, said that Duterte is becoming the “best recruiter” for the NPA and called the AFP as “best supplier of arms for the armed revolution.”

It warned that the communist rebels will strive to seize more weapons by launching more tactical offensives.

“Duterte’s triple wars of death and destruction against the Filipino and Moro people, as well as his anti-people, pro-oligarch and pro-imperialist policies, spell his doom,” CPP said.

The party added: “As such, Duterte is providing the New People’s Army and the revolutionary movement an ever more fertile ground for the people’s war to grow and prosper.”

In December, Duterte branded the CPP-NPA as “terrorists” after canceling the peace talks in November.

READ: Duterte declares CPP-NPA as terrorist groups