The Armed Force of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police jointly intensified efforts to promote peace initiatives in North Luzon.

The AFP-PNP's Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee Area has become a venue for the security forces to introduce campaigns on counter-terrorism, internal security, territorial defense and disaster response operations.

Based on the report of the AFP's Northern Luzon Command, about 30 members of the communist terrorist groups have been neutralized from 1 July to 30 September this year. Of the total neutralized rebels, 20 of which have surrendered to the government forces, eight were exhumed cadavers, and two were arrested.

The NolCom has also facilitated the withdrawal of support of some 58 New People's Army mass base crusaders while its internal security operations also resulted in the recovery of 44 high-powered firearms, eight low-powered firearms and three anti-personnel mines.

The Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program benefitted at least 72 former NPA rebels since January the year.

NolCom added that 100 percent of areas under its jurisdiction have declared CPP-NPA as persona non grata including at the provincial, municipal, and barangay levels.

Strengthened collaboration

Meanwhile, the strengthened collaboration between the AFP and PNP the successful conduct of 11,724 counter-terror operations and 4,495 joint law enforcement operations such as anti-illegal fishing operations, marijuana eradication, anti-Illegal logging operations, recovery of CTG firearms and cadavers, armed encounters, and other security-related operations.

Aside from internal security and territorial defense, the AFP and PNP are also been active in performing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Operations in times of calamities such as the recent typhoons and earthquakes that struck north and central Luzon.

Acting Commander of Area Police Command-Northern Luzon, P/Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad said the police force is all-out in supporting the NolCom soldiers, especially during their shared mission in pursuit of lasting peace and security in their joint area of operations.

NolCom Commander Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. meanwhile expressed "utmost gratitude" to the APC-NL "for their relentless assistance to the Northern Luzon troopers" in its anti-insurgency mission throughout north and central Luzon.