The Philippine Army on Friday claimed to continue gaining headway in the fight against insurgency with the surrender of 25 New People’s Army (NPA) members, the capture of 15 others, and the killing of five in various operations last month.

Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade Jr. said information gathered from those who surrendered and captured confirmed of a deep-rooted demoralization in the NPA ranks which continue to diminish.

However, the NPA has taken to recruiting minors to fill up its roster, Parlade said.

“The continuous surrender of the members of the NPA is a clear manifestation of their desire to embrace a life of peace, after having been disillusioned by the unfair treatment of the communist movement. This can further be attributed to the Philippine Army’s sincerity to provide an environment conducive for peace and development, through the Social Integration Program (SIP),” said Parlade.

The SIP welcomed over 2,500 rebel returnees with various financia and livelihood assistance in 2009 and granted financial assistance to 389 former NPA rebels in March alone.

Parlade said the five NPA members were killed while 15 others were captured in separate military operations around the country in August.

In Western Samar, a certain Panyong Tenorio was killed while two others, identified as Manny Valentino and Joel Valentino, were captured when elements of the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion clashed with members of an armed lawless group (ALG) operating in Sta. Margarita, Western Samar on August 22.

In Surigao del Sur, an unidentified member of the Guerrilla Front (GF) 19B operating in Mahaba, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, was killed following an encounter with the elements of 36th Infantry Battalion on August 28.

“With these developments in the struggle to bring forth peace and stability in the country, there is never a doubt that the communist terrorist group has been weakened significantly,” said Parlade.

“As a result, in order to reassure their diminishing ranks, the NPA groups resorted to committing atrocities which greatly affect innocent civilians, hindered progress and development in the communities and deprived the people of the chance to live life in peace. Reports revealed that eight civilians have been killed while several others were injured as a result of the communist desperate moves against the government troops within this month alone,” he said.