Military says NPA lacks numbers to pose threat to Cebu

THERE is no chance for the communist New People’s Army (NPA) to reinforce its ranks enough to pose a threat to, much less “re-take” Cebu, the military’s Central Command (Centcom) said over the weekend.

In a phone interview, Centcom spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Tampus said there were attempts and plans by the NPA to marshal its forces in Cebu and the neighboring province of Bohol since last year.

Tampus said information obtained from the confiscated laptops of communist rebels in Negros Island confirmed this.

“We credit that to the leadership of the governors of Cebu and Bohol and their coordination with their mayors,” he said.

He said the NPA renewed its recruitment in schools in different parts of Cebu, particularly in Toledo City.

Tampus said the 78th Infantry Battalion (78IB) was tasked to monitor the NPA recruitment.

Capt. Albert Ramirez, 78th IB spokesperson, told Cebu Daily News that they deployed troops in six barangays in Toledo City to conduct an information campaign against NPA recruitment activities in six barangays last March 16.

“We wanted to let people understand our motives. Based on reports, meetings were held by organizers of the CPP-NPA to the people in the third district,” he said in a text message to Cebu Daily News.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said in its website (philippinerevolution.net) that it will mark the 43rd anniversary of the NPA, its armed wing, on March 29 by intensifying its recruitment of youths. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus