AFP assessment of NPA

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The Army's 3 rd Infantry Division revealed their assessment that the strength of the New People's Army in Negros and Panay has been reduced to an estimated 147 members each. These are the armed components but the Army did not divulge the number of sympathizers. The supporters are difficult to determine by the nature of their circumstances.

The Army was candid in admitting that they failed to attain their target for this year, which is to reduce the NPA strength and capability.

The new assessment is not new. Every Army commander who came to this island for years had been predicting the demise of the NPA. These commanders had come and gone, some to higher office, others into retirement but the NPA remains a serious threat.

With only 147 armed men, the NPA can still inflict serious damage to lives and properties and hinder the development of the island. The Army declared that because of the reduced NPA capability, the island is in their parlance “ready for development”.

The province has been progressing despite the presence of the armed opposition that has slowed down their attack. This can be attributed to the vigilance and capability of the Army but it can also be an indication that the insurgents are reassessing their position.

The entry of the new administration next year can be an opportunity to put an end to the fratricidal conflict. The political and armed leaders of the NPA have shut down the doors to a peace negotiation with the present regime. This is clear from the absence of any movement in the peace process despite the formation of a group that will find a final solution to this conflict.

This bloodletting among Filipinos has gone too long. The NPA has shown tenacity for 40 years. Their leaders are either in exile, in jail or pinned in the mountains but they continue to resist, a proof of their belief in validity of their cause. Their top commands are also ageing and recruitment is slowing down. Their usual sources of cadre are drying up.

The government can wait out in a war of attrition but lives can still be lost and resources wasted in the meantime. *