THE 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said it has achieved significant progress in its peace and security initiatives during the first semester of 2019 in Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions.
Major General Nemesio Gacal, 4ID commander, said they have neutralized 1,104 members of the New People's Army (NPA) during the first six months of this year.
This includes 1,062 surrenderers, 25 killed in armed encounters, and 17 captured or apprehended through joint security and law enforcement operations.
Government troops have captured a total of 67 assorted firearms during encounters, while former rebels handed over 168 firearms of various calibers during this period.
Relentless and focused security operations of units under 4ID resulted to the significant reduction of the terror group’s firearms and other war paraphernalia.
The last two quarters saw sharp increase in the number of surrenderers in the two regions.
In Northern Mindanao, 359 regular members, Milisya ng Bayan (People’s Militia), Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) members and supporters have surrendered to various military outfits.
Caraga region also registered 763 surrenderers in the same period.
Gacal attributed the gains to the convergence of efforts of stakeholders and the enhanced implementation of Community Support Programs (CSP) in vulnerable communities.
He said the massive turn-out of surrenderers in both regions is also because of the national government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-clip).
Records show that there are already 999 surrenderers enrolled to the E-clip. The program has so far distributed P10 million worth of assistance to 209 beneficiaries.
Efforts to rid communities of communist influence is also paying off, Gacal said, noting that one city, 10 municipalities and 115 barangays within the division’s area of responsibility have declared the NPA and its front organizations as persona non-grata.
Gacal expressed his confidence that his campaign called "peaceful war crucial in finally putting an end to the local communist armed conflict in the two regions.”
“The next six months are crucial in our campaign. However, at the rate things are going with our convergence efforts, our collective dream of peace and development is fast turning into reality.” Gacal added.