MANILA - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri on Friday said their goal to eradicate the communist insurgency in the country was making headway.

Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan is a six-year program targeted toward achieving internal security, paying particular attention to the elimination of the New People's Army (NPA), and preparing the once-rebel infested areas for development by other agencies of government. It expires in December 2016.

Iriberri said that at the end of 2014, NPA strength was pegged at 4,443. By the end of 2015, the numbers, according to the AFP count, was reduced to 3,926.

By the AFP's account, they were able to dismantle 13 guerilla fronts, clear 292 affected barangays, and capture 31 top NPA personalities who play crucial roles at both the national and local level.

The AFP cites other indications of NPA strength weakening. Iriberri says the NPA did not launch any major tactical operation in 2015, which for him "speaks volumes about their dwindling strength."

The AFP said the December 26 anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines was considerably smaller than in previous years, when they would monitor about 10,000 people in attendance. The AFP pegged the numbers last December 26 at about 2,000.

"They were not able to celebrate their anniversary. Hindi na nila kayang mag-muster ng tao," Iriberri said.