Insurgency: Public Urged To Stay Vigilant

The Army has warned the public to stay vigilant against the NPA as they continue to engage in clashes. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247654

Government troops on Monday clashed with New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Maragat in Kabugao town, Apayao province, three days after a similar encounter took place in the same village.

According to the Philippine Army, the troops encountered an estimated 20 NPA rebels while conducting follow-up operations at around 10:25 a.m.

"These successive encounters clearly demonstrate that the CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists) are on the retreat and losing ground rapidly," Lt. Col. Melchor Balasi, commanding officer of the 98th Infantry Battalion (IB), said in a statement.

On April 5, troops from 98th IB engaged members of the Regional Guerrilla Unit (RGU), Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) during a focused military operation in the mountainous area of Barangay Maragat.

The encounter led to the recovery of high-powered firearms, war materials, and personal items.

"We strongly urge the remaining members of this terrorist group to surrender, return to the folds of law, and choose the path of peace," Balasi said.

Balasi urged residents in nearby areas to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or activities, as he noted that fleeing rebels have fewer places left to hide.

Meanwhile, government troops on Monday recovered a cadaver of suspected communist terrorist near the encounter site.

The cadaver was turned over to the local government unit of Apayao for proper disposition and identification.

The Philippine Army reiterated its full support to the government’s campaign to end local communist armed conflict through its sustained operations and strengthened civil-military operations in Apayao and nearby areas.

Encounters continue to happen with the remaining rebels despite the lack of leadership. 

Another town in Samar has been declared rebel-free after three years of no reported NPA-related violence.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/9/samar-town-declared-under-stable-internal-peace-security-status

The Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the Municipal Peace and Order Council of Pinabacdao, Samar declared the municipality under a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) on Tuesday, April 8.

The status was declared under Sangguniang Bayan Resolution Number 25-014, Series of 2025, after the municipality met all the parameters set by the joint AFP-PNP committee regarding the peace and security situation in the area.

Based on the resolution, the internal peace and security spectrum is composed of four stages: insurgency, conflict-manageable, suppressed insurgency, and stable internal peace and security.

Under the SIPSC stage, the municipality was categorized as cleared and unaffected and relatively peaceful.

The absence of NPA-related violence for more than three years in the municipality played a vital factor in the declaration.

Pinabacdao had been one of the hotbeds of insurgency in Samar. 

In 2023, there were 11 active NPA members who were residents of Pinabacdao.  Only three  were left after the surrender of eight as a result of the localized peace engagement activities of the MTF- ELCAC.

The province’s high poverty incidence – estimated at 24.9 percent, the highest in Eastern Visayas in 2024 –  was  one of the main causes of insurgency.

Brig. Gen.  Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, attributed the success of the municipality’s internal peace and security campaign to the active collaboration of the members of the MTF-ELCAC in addressing the cause of insurgency.

“The declaration of the insurgency's end in what was once a hotbed of violence in the province of Samar is a significant milestone for Pinabacdao in terms of achieving internal peace and security. This development is expected to attract more investors and local entrepreneurs, leading to new business ventures and a boost in local tourism,” Vestuir said.

Vestuir vowed that the Army would continue to secure the municipality despite the declaration of stable internal peace security status.

They say poverty was a cause of the insurgency but do not indicate if poverty has been resolved in the region. 

In Caraga the NPA has lost 20 fighters in the wake of their leader's death. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247833

The communist New People’s Army (NPA) has lost 20 fighters through surrenders to various Army units in the Caraga Region from February to early April 2025, the military said Thursday.

The surrenders followed the death of Myrna Sularte, also known as Maria Malaya, the top rebel leader in the Caraga Region who headed the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), according to the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde).

In a statement Thursday, the 901Bde added that the surrenderers also turned over seven firearms, ammunition, and other war materials during this period.

Of the 20 fighters, 14 were identified as regular NPA members under the NEMRC, while the other six were militia members operating in areas covered by the committee.

Following Sularte’s death on Feb. 12, seven NPA rebels immediately surrendered to different Army units in the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Sur on Feb. 21.

Among them was Chrystal Malaya Sagbigsal, also known as Islaw, a member of the NEMRC’s Regional Instructors Bureau.

On March 24, nine other NPA fighters, led by Luiegy Sagas, also known as Boswan of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Westland of NEMRC, surrendered to the Army in Agusan del Norte.

From April 3 to 8, four more NPA fighters yielded in Agusan del Norte, including Edgardo Carbonilla, also known as Dexter, also from SRSDG Westland of NEMRC.

“These surrenders reflect the significant disintegration within the NEMRC, directly linked to the loss of its leadership and the continuous pressure brought about by relentless military operations coupled with a loss of support from the communities,” said Brig. Gen. Arsenio Sadural, commander of the 901Bde, in the same statement.

He added that the surrenders contradicted the NPA’s claim that Sularte’s death would inspire more of its fighters to continue their cause.

“The CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) also claims that it has plenty of veteran and young cadres ready to take on Sularte's leadership and continue her legacy,” Sadural said.

On the contrary, he added, the leader’s death has diminished the morale of its members and caused disorganization within the NEMRC, resulting in a series of surrenders.

These losses have all been due to surrenders and not clashes. 

In Quezon a captured NPA rebel lead the Army to an arms cache.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2050607/captured-rebel-leads-army-to-npas-hidden-weapons-in-quezon

An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA), who was captured last week, led government forces to a cache of firearms hidden by his comrades in Lopez, Quezon province.

Colonel Jeffrex Molina, chief of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2nd ID) Public Affairs Office, reported that “Queen” guided soldiers to the hidden weapons in Barangay Mal-ay on Sunday, April 6.

Government troops recovered an M16 rifle, two anti-personnel mines, four M16 magazines with 67 rounds of ammunition, 20 rounds of M14 ammunition, and assorted tools and equipment used in the production of improvised bombs.

Major General Cerilo Balaoro Jr., 2nd ID commander, attributed Queen’s arrest to the continuous counterinsurgency operations and intensified collaboration with local communities and former rebels.

“Their firearms, explosives, and war materiel are now being recovered one by one, preventing them from launching hostile actions against our people,” Balaoro said in a statement.

On March 27, Queen and a companion were captured by policemen in Lucena City.

Investigators said Queen had been tasked by the NPA to collect “permit-to-campaign” (PTC) fees from election candidates in Quezon province.

In previous elections, the rebels reportedly demanded not only cash but also food, rice, medicines, communication equipment, and even firearms from targeted candidates in exchange for allowing uninterrupted campaign activities within areas considered to be NPA strongholds.

Queen is listed as the most wanted criminal in the Calabarzon region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).

He is facing six warrants of arrest for double homicide, attempted homicide, multiple counts of attempted murders, frustrated homicide, and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Another arms cache was discovered in Camarines Norte.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/10/troops-seized-npa-arms-stash-in-camarines-norte

Soldiers recovered a large New People's Army (NPA) arms cache in Labo town, Camarines Norte on Wednesday, April 9.

Lt. Col. Jeffrex Molina, spokesman of the 2nd Infantry Division, said the 16th Infantry Battalion under the 201st Infantry Brigade found the weapons in Barangay Exciba following information from a former communist rebel.

Molina said the stash was composed of one Ultimax light machine gun, one M-653 rifle, one M-14 rifle, seven M-16 A1 rifles, 14 magazines, 16 hand grenades, two rolls of detonating cord, 4,211 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, and 715 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

Major Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr., 2nd ID commander, said the continued recoveries of the terrorists' war items are steadily weakening the operational capability of the terrorist NPA in Southern Luzon. 

It also showed  the cooperation between government forces, former rebels, and the local community is working very well, he added.

The military conducted the operation with the assistance of the Labo police. On January and February, NPA war materiel were also recovered in Labo.

How many more arms caches are sitting around waiting to be discovered?

A top NPA commander in Bukidon has surrendered. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247891

A former high-ranking commander of the communist New People's Army (NPA) surrendered in Bukidnon province and turned over several high-powered firearms, police said Thursday.

Col. Jovit Culaway, director of the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office, announced in a press briefing in Malaybalay City that Aldie Salusad, a former NPA commander, surrendered after evading 24 active warrants for several years.

"He's a subject for different warrants of arrest including murder, frustrated murder, carnapping, and robbery in band," Culaway said. He added that Salusad also surrendered seven high-powered firearms, two pistols, and a shotgun.

According to records, Salusad was a former commander of a guerrilla front under the Southern Mindanao Regional Command. He voluntarily surrendered following encouragement from family members, including his father, who was also once a rebel.

Meanwhile, the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) strongly condemned a recent NPA attack involving the burning of civilian property in Barangay San Luis, Malitbog town, Bukidnon province, on April 5.

Maj. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., 4ID Commander, said the attack is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law as it directly targeted and destroyed civilian property. 

Even though he surrendered it does not seem as if he will be eligible for E-CLIP benefits due to the cases of murder filed against him.

Despite the lack of leadership the NPA was able to burn down a cassava warehouse in Bukidnon. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/8/communist-rebels-torch-cassava-warehouse-in-bukidnon

The New People’s Army burned a warehouse for cassava in Sitio Kalipay, Barangay San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon province on Saturday, April 5.

Major Gen. Michele B. Anayron Jr., commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, condemned the attack.

Anayron said the arson attack did not only destroy a business establishment but also deprived local workers of their livelihood. 

“These actions are counterproductive to the welfare of the community, which the NPA claims to have advocated for,” he said. 

"The attack is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law, as it directly targets and destroys civilian property. It is a blatant act of terrorism designed to spread fear and disrupt peaceful communities,” Anayron said.

 “While advocating for the marginalized, the NPA’s destructive tactics only serve to marginalize further those they claim to defend. Building, not burning, is the path to true empowerment. The violent act only undermines legitimate grievances. Peaceful and constructive dialogue, not destruction, is the only way to address any kind of issue."

Soldiers from the 28th and 23rd Infantry Battalions are pursuing the fleeing communist rebels. 

Damage to property was estimated at millions. The warehouse was reportedly owned by a certain King Ragandang Zayas, the military said.

This act does contradict the NPA's claims that they are fighting for the people. But it's not as if communists have ever been "for the people. "