Manila, Feb. 4 -- Around 47 communist insurgents and local terrorist group members were neutralized by military units nationwide from Jan. 1 to 29, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Wednesday.

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

This can be broken into 42 for the New People's Army (NPA) insurgents and supporters and five for local terrorist groups, the military added.

The 42 NPA members and supporters neutralized were broken down as follows: 35 surrendered, four arrested, and three killed in various military operations.

"A total of 51 firearms, and 18 anti-personnel mines were either seized or surrendered, and five encampments seized," the AFP said.

Meanwh...