THE top official of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office said Wednesday, August 2, that the strength of the New People's Army (NPA) in the province is dwindling.
Provincial Police Director Colonel Robert Roy Bahian said based on their survey, the number of communist guerillas are already diminishing, including their armaments.
Bahian also said the surrender of several NPA combatants would manifest that the NPA force has weakened.
"Based on encounters ug mga kauban nila nag-surrender, nagkagamay na sila," Bahian said in a press briefing.
But when asked why the NPA has not been neutralized yet despite their "weak force" as claimed by authorities, Bahian said it is because the Maoist guerillas are very mobile and their attacks are well-planned.
"Planning pud na nila. Gusto nila ipakita sa public that they remain a force to reckon with. Ipakita nila nga kusog sila pero actually hinay na sila," Bahian said.
"Very mobile sila mao nanawagan kita sa community nga moreport dayon kung naay presensya sa NPA para maaksyonan dayon," he added.
The province's top cop also said they will still verify if the NPA conducts recruitment on students in the province.
Bahian also said he has yet to receive reports that companies operating in the province are victims of extortion by the left group.
"Given naman nga pag naay big companies palaging nag-extort ang NPA, so posible na," Bahian said.
"With regards sa recruitment, ato nang i-verify kay so far, wala pa koy report sa recruitment activities sa NPA," he added.
Bahian called on the remaining members of the NPA to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law.