Fight vs terrorism won’t be affected by resumption of war against NPAs

The chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office (AFP-PAO) assured that the fight against terrorism won’t be affected now that combat operations against communist rebels have resumed.

This after President Duterte ended the five-month government ceasefire over the weekend following reported violations and atrocities committed by New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas.

In an interview, Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo explained that the all-out war against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Maute Group, and other local and foreign terrorists in Mindanao won’t be affected as there are sufficient personnel and equipment in areas where New People’s Army (NPA) operate.

Arevalo said that based on the latest information they received, the current strength of the communist rebels stand at 3,700 with their concentration mostly in the area of Northeastern Mindanao.

“As of the moment we don’t see this (resumption of combat operations against NPAs) having any effect in our ongoing operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi and other terrorist groups in Central Mindanao,” Arevalo said.

“Because we have sufficient personnel, equipment and units in these areas where the NPAs operate. It has also been part of our plans to have contingencies, I mean to plan for contingencies in the event that the peace process doesn’t succeed,” Arevalo said.

Arevalo said that as of the moment there is no immediate need to re-deploy forces to go after communist rebels.

“We have to take this into account that’s why this has already been factored in when we made changes in the deployment. But as I was saying, again, for the moment the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sees that we have sufficient forces, equipment and personnel in these areas and there’s no immediate need for any movements,” he said.

Arevalo, at the same time, said that the AFP is very much ready for a twopronged campaign against terrorists and communists.

“Yes, because that’s part of our mandate and the peace talks just gave us the opportunity to have some breathing space, especially to residents so that they would not live in fear that they will be affected as a result of the fighting and at the same time have the opportunity to have their own business,” Arevalo said.

Arevalo said as of the moment, there is no need to pull out troops presently deployed in Basilan and Sulu.

Arevalo earlier said that the resumption of combat operations was in line to the Chief Executive’s pronouncement to go after communist rebels, especially those who commit atrocities to the people.

Arevalo, at the same time, said that efforts are being made to locate the whereabouts of three soldiers earlier kidnap by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas.