Manila, Aug. 5 -- A total of 870 New People's Army (NPA) members and supporters were neutralized in military operations in the first seven months this year.

Of the total, 770 surrendered, 35 were arrested, and 65 were killed in various military operations that took place from Jan. 1 to July 29, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a media interview Tuesday.

"Neutralized" is a military term which refers to the surrender, capture or killing of enemy troops.

"Bawat sumukong rebelde ay dagdag pag-asa. Bawat baril na na-a-alis sa kamay ng armadong grupo ay dagdag seguridad para sa isang komunidad (For every surrendered rebel, there is renewed hope. With every gun removed from the hands of the ...