Shadow

NPA not a threat to May polls: Army

Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of the 302nd Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.*PNA/Mary Judaline F. Partlow photo

The New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, no longer poses a threat to the conduct of the May 12 midterm elections, an Army official said on Monday, Jan. 14.

Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said all three guerilla fronts of the NPA in Negros Island have been dismantled and “we see no serious threat from the CTGs (communist terrorist groups).”

While some NPA remnants are still active, recent military engagements in November and January led to the deaths of nine suspected rebels, forcing the insurgents into a defensive stance, especially in Negros Oriental.

Although certain areas in Negros Oriental were previously classified under code orange due to the presence of CTGs, Escanillas clarified that they were associated with past elections when the guerilla fronts were yet to be dismantled.

Escanillas said the Army has not detected extortion activities targeting candidates in the region’s upcoming elections.

The Philippine Army has deployed troops to assist the Commission on Elections and the Philippine National Police in ensuring security, including manning checkpoints and enforcing the gun ban during the election period from Jan. 12 to June 11.

Troop deployment will continue to adapt based on the evolving security situation.*PNA

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