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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NPA no longer a threat to PH elections, says Army chief

NPA no longer a threat to PH elections, says Army chief

Published Jan 15, 2025 06:00 am
Philippine Army Roy Galido.jpg
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido (File photo)

Gone are the days that the New People’s Army (NPA) could influence the outcome of elections in the country, Philippine Army (PA) Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Galido said the military has practically defeated NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founded by the late Jose Ma. “Joma” Sison in 1969, so it will not be a concern of the military ahead of the May 12 midterm polls.

“Sa kasalukuyang estado ng New People’s Army, ito ay wala ng kakayahan para maimpluwensyahan ang takbo ng nalalapit na halalan ngayong taon (In the current state of the New People’s Army, it does not have the capability to influence the outcome of the upcoming elections this year),” he said.

Despite this, Galido said the Army will not be complacent and remain vigilant against individual attacks that may be launched by remnants of the NPA in the provinces to make it appear they are still capable of overthrowing the government.

“The Philippine Army, particularly our units on the field, will continue to be on guard and conduct internal security operations to ensure that the 2025 national and local elections will be orderly and peaceful,” he stated.

“Wala po tayong let-up na gagawin at patuloy natin tutugisin ang mga natitirang mga lider ng armadong grupo (We will not let-up in our activities and we will continue to hunt down the remaining leaders of this armed group),” he added.

The NPA was notorious for issuing “permits to campaign” to political candidates during the election period. However, the National Security Council (NSC) said this is no longer the situation since the NPA has already been decimated in all its politico-military spectrum capabilities.

Last month, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said only one “weakened” guerilla front of the NPA remains. By weakened, the AFP explained that a particular guerilla front has no leader, but its members can still mount small acts of violence.

The AFP said that the NPA still has around 1,000 fighters but the military urges them to surrender to the government and be reintegrated back into mainstream society.

“We call on those remaining members of the CPP-NPA to lay down their arms and just peacefully surrender to the government. Let us help one another to make this country and our countrymen progressive,” Galido said.

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