NPA activities declining in NorthCot-Davao Sur border

COTABATO CITY -- Military authorities stationed in the borders of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur said Sunday that the strength of communist rebels in their area of operation has been declining. Lt. Col. Rhodjun Rosales, commander of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion (39IB), said the number of New People’s Army (NPA) in the borders of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur has gone down due to massive military operations and the provincial government’s program designed for those who want to return to the fold of the law and live normal lives. “Our intensified campaign against them and the successful collaboration and cooperation by local government units for rebels who opted to surrender eventually led to the decrease in NPA influence in the far-flung communities,” Rosales told church-run Radio DXND in Kidapawan City. The 39IB covers the towns of Makilala and Tulunan in North Cotabato, also Bansalan and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur. Rosales lauded North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco for her unwavering support to government forces and the continuing implementation of peace advocacy programs by the provincial government.

Batches of NPAs continue to surrender in other parts of the province this year, especially under the 901 Infantry Brigade where the local populace declared the rebels “persona non grata” in their localities. He said while the military is ready to use its might against communist rebels, its door remains open for those who would like to yield, reform and rejoin mainstream society. “We are all Filipinos, there’s should be no reason for us to fight and kill each other,” Rosales said in the vernacular as he urged rebels to come down and join their families in welcoming the year 2020.