Manila, Aug. 12 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said operations against communist insurgents from Jan. 1 to Aug. this year have, so far, "neutralized" an estimated 970 New People's Army (NPA) members and their supporters.

Of the total, 862 of the individuals surrendered, 37 were arrested, and 71 were killed, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a media interview Tuesday.

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

"A total of 653 firearms and 255 anti-personnel mines were either seized or surrendered, and 38 encampments were seized," Padilla said.

"Kung titingnan natin ang numbers, makikita natin ang operational gains (If we look at the numbers, w...