AFP eyes Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Quirino as insurgent-free areas

by Ben Moses Ebreo

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (December 10) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP) is looking into the possibility of declaring three other provinces in northern Luzon as communist-free areas in its bid to end communist insurgency by 2010.

Lt. Colonel Leouel Santos, commanding officer of the army’s 77 Infantry Batallion said the provinces of Quirino, Ifugao and Ilocos Norte are potential areas to be declared as insurgent-free areas.

Santos made the statement during the official declaration of Nueva Vizcaya as an insurgent-free province which was also highlighted by the signing of a memorandum of agreement.

Based on the army’s description, a province or a city is declared as an insurgency-cleared area if armed groups, particularly the New Peoples’ Army(NPA) have been neutralized.

“Sightings of armed communist rebels are still a threat for us like in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Aurora and part of Isabela,” he told PIA.

According to Santos, the strength of communist rebels operating in Cagayan Valley region have now decreased into less than 30 armed guerillas which is now the primary focus of intensified military operations.

The remaining communist rebels of the NPA’s Central Front are operating in the towns of Jones, Echague, San Agustin and San Mariano in Isabela province while its northern front is concentrated on the coastal towns of Cagayan province, he added.

Santos said that while the armed wing of the NPA is nearing its extinction, communist supporters and sympathizers still roam the society with their intention to recruit new members to the communist front lines. (PIA NVizcaya)