MANILA, Philippines—The police could take the lead role in dealing with communist insurgency once New People’s Army (NPA) strength has declined by 1,500 fighters, according to National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Monday (May 31).
There are still currently 4,000 regular NPA members, according to Esperon, who is also vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac).
Philippine government officials continue to consider communist insurgency as the country’s top security concern with the military at the forefront of counterinsurgency operations.
NPA is the armed wing of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“Personally, this …
Keep on reading: Esperon sees police leading counterinsurgency if NPA numbers fall by 1,500 fighters