AFP claims 23 provinces liberated from NPA influence

Twenty-three provinces nationwide were liberated from the influence of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) during the first year of implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) anti-insurgency internal peace and security plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan.”

At a press briefing, AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said that development is next to the 23 provinces freed by the government from the influence of the NPA in 2011.

The provinces freed were Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Biliran, Cebu, Bohol, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Cavite, Marinduque, Romblon, Guimaras, Siquijor and Northern and Southern Leyte.

“We expect that development will continue in these areas. We expect that unhampered development will continue in these areas in cooperation with concerned LGUs (local government units),” said Burgos.

“The AFP will be there to follow on and assist the PNP (Philippine National Police) whenever it requests assistance for law enforcement operations,” added Burgos.

The military spokesman cited “very less” violent incidents and economic development in the 23 provinces as parameters in declaring them out of the influence of the NPA.

Burgos stressed that the military will maintain its presence in the liberated provinces.

“We will not downsize as I have said we will be there to follow on,” said Burgos.

On the other hand, at least 25 provinces throughout the country are still under the influence of the communists.

Among these are Davao provinces, Compostela Valley, Masbate, some areas in Bicol region and Surigao.

Earlier, the AFP revealed that the NPA has collected P300 million during their extortion activities this year, which more than doubled the P95.5 million “revolutionary taxes” earned by the communist group in 2010.

Burgos claimed that the significant increase in the figures was a result of the “collaboration and coordination” of private businesses to the government authorities.

“They are now providing information to the AFP unlike before when they were afraid (to report),” said Burgos.

Burgos also attributed the waning communist insurgency in the country to the implementation of the AFP’s IPSP “Bayanihan” which calls for a whole-nation approach in defeating the decades-old insurgency problem before 2016. –Mario J. Mallari, Daily Tribune