AFP Chief: CPP-NPA Forces Cut by Half, Only Four Weakened Guerrilla Fronts Remain

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reported a major reduction in the strength of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), with insurgent numbers dropping to 1,111, down from 2,200 last year. The AFP also revealed that the insurgents' firearms cache has been reduced by approximately 1,000 weapons.

At a press briefing on November 8, following the 6th National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Executive Committee meeting in Malacañang, AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. highlighted the significant progress made in weakening the CPP-NPA's presence in the country. The insurgent group now has only four active guerrilla fronts, down from seven last year.

General Brawner emphasized that while these developments are promising, challenges remain, particularly with some insurgents delaying their surrender in anticipation of the 2025 elections. These remaining fighters are reportedly attempting to extract "permit to campaign" or "permit to win" fees from political candidates, a practice that has long fueled the insurgency.

"Most of the remaining fighters want to surrender, but the upcoming elections are complicating their decision," Brawner said. He urged political candidates to resist the temptation to pay such fees, as doing so would only prolong the insurgency and undermine efforts to achieve lasting peace.

The AFP is intensifying its operations to dismantle the remaining guerrilla fronts by the end of 2024. At the same time, the military is supporting former insurgents through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which helps reintegrate them into society and provides financial, medical, and livelihood assistance.

"The holiday season presents an ideal opportunity for former rebels to return to the fold of the law," Brawner noted, reaffirming the government’s commitment to offering amnesty and support to those who choose to lay down their arms.

While the AFP has made significant strides, Brawner cautioned that there are still potential threats from the remaining insurgents, particularly in remote areas where occasional attacks on AFP detachments may occur. Despite these risks, the AFP Chief stressed that the influence of the CPP-NPA over local communities has been sharply diminished, and the group's remaining forces are now too poorly equipped and trained to launch any large-scale offensives.

Brawner also emphasized the importance of the Philippines' strategic partnership with the United States, particularly in areas of counter-terrorism and regional security. "Our bilateral relationship remains robust, with key agreements like the Mutual Defense Treaty continuing to be vital pillars of our cooperation," he said.