AFP neutralizes 50 NPAs

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it neutralized 50 guerrillas of the New People’s Army (NPA) and recovered 16 firearms in separate operations amid intense operations against the Maute Group in Marawi City.

AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, said they were significant in their fight against the NPA, particularly after the government did not participate in the fifth round of peace negotiations with communist organizations.

Arevalo said military forces had successful operations against the NPA, mostly in northeastern Mindanao.

Of the 50 neutralized rebels, 36 voluntarily surrendered to government forces, nine were killed, and five were arrested in separate encounters starting May 23, the day the terrorists attacked Marawi.

Government troops also recovered 16 firearms. On the other hand, 15 firearms were turned over by NPA surrenderers.

The most recent encounter took place on June 11 in Paquibato District, Davao City, where elements of the Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion killed an NPA fighter.

The military saw a surge of surrenderers from the NPA starting May 23. Significant of which were five NPAs who voluntarily surrendered in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on June 13, and six members with high-powered firearms who surrendered in Maguindanao on June 6.