As the year comes to a close the communist rebellion is showing no signs of abating. But neither is the AFP's campaign against the insurgency.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237168 |
The Visayas’ top military official on Wednesday vowed to continue efforts to end local communist armed conflict in the central Philippines as the New People’s Army (NPA) in the region has suffered a series of setbacks.
Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Visayas Command, said the recent blows suffered by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the NPA, “is a testament to our resolve to ensure the security and well-being of our people” in the three central regions.
Reyeg reported that five encounters between members of the 803rd Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm and NPA combatants occurred in Barangay Sulitan, Catubig town in Northern Samar on Tuesday, which led to the death of two rebels.
The first encounter broke out at about 6:57 a.m. as government troops responded to a report from a concerned resident on the presence of rebels conducting extortion activities.
This was followed by four more encounters from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. as the withdrawing NPA combatants engaged the government troops who were blocking the enemy’s route of withdrawal.
The five encounters in Northern Samar happened after soldiers in Aklan killed an NPA member in a clash in the island province’s Barangay Manika of Libacao town on Oct. 31.
Authorities identified the NPA remnant who was killed during the encounter with the 12th Infantry Battalion under JTF Spear as Alvin Panoy, alias Vinmar/Bernie/Jake, reportedly a member of the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) and Central Front of Komiteng Rehiyon (KR) – Panay.
Soldiers in Aklan recovered an M16 assault rifle, subversive documents, and personal belongings.
“The threat of the communist terrorist group may be persistent, but our commitment is equally relentless. We will sustain our efforts and continue to press forward until lasting peace and stability in the region are achieved,” Reyeg said in a statement.
He noted the significant development in the AFP’s security efforts that “reflects the strong desire of our people in Eastern Visayas to end the local communist armed conflict in the region.”
The courage and commitment to peace and active collaboration of the people in the Visayas have inspired the troops to remain committed to the shared goal of peace and stability in the central Philippine region, Reyeg added.
Saying "the threat of the communist terrorist group may be persistent" is a different approach for the AFP. In the past they have said the NPA is leaderless and thus toothless being unable to carry out coordinated attacks or recruit.
But there are leaders left in the NPA. One of them was killed in a clash in Northern Samar.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237180 |
Two rebels, including a high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA), died in a gun battle with soldiers in upland Sulitan village in Catubig, Northern Samar, on Tuesday.
The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division identified the fatalities as alias Baste, a platoon and squad leader of front 15, NPA sub-regional committee arctic, and alias Jino, a member of Squad 2 in the regional guerrilla unit of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee.
Government troops also recovered one M16 rifle, four.45-caliber magazines, subversive documents, and personal belongings at the encounter site, according to information sent to reporters by the military on Wednesday.
Government forces clashed with rebels Tuesday afternoon after they responded to reports from civilians about armed NPA members extorting and intimidating farmers in the area.
The clash lasted several minutes before the insurgents retreated, leaving behind two of their dead comrades.
Brig. Gen. Perfecto Peñaredondo, acting commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, is saddened by the deaths of rebels in a senseless struggle.
“The unnecessary loss of lives due to misguided ideology could have been avoided if they had chosen a peaceful path. We all dream of a peaceful and progressive community, so I urge the remaining rebels to heed the government’s call and become advocates for peace,” Peñaredondo said in a statement.
Northern Samar is considered the country's last bastion of insurgency.
Recently, the military dismantled two NPA front committees, prompting its remnants to regroup into a sub-regional guerilla unit.
Although there are still active fighters in Northern Samar, they are no longer in control of any village in Samar Island, according to the Philippine Army.
Another NPA leader was killed in a clash in Aklan.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/3/npa-leader-killed-in-aklan-gunfight |
The Philippine Army has identified the communist rebel killed in an encounter with the 12th Infantry Battalion in Libacao town, Aklan province on Oct. 31 as a high-ranking New People’s Army leader.
The fatality was Alvin Panoy, alias Ka Jake or Ka Vinmar, 30, from Iloilo province.
The 3rd Infantry Division said that Ka Jake was the former finance and logistics officer of Squad II, Igabon Platoon, of the NPA Central Front Committee on Panay Island.
“The death of alias Ka Jake has disrupted the NPA’s attempt to recover their influence in Aklan, including its financial and logistical support system in both red and white area operations,” 3rd ID commander Major Gen. Marion Sison said.
Aklan was declared by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as insurgency free in 2011.
The PA assured that Panoy’s body will be transported to his family in Lemery, Iloilo for a proper burial.
If the death of this leader "has disrupted the NPA’s attempt to recover their influence in Aklan, including its financial and logistical support system in both red and white area operations" then that means they were on the road to recovering their influence. But how could that be if the NPA has basically been defeated and the AFP was hoping for a total defeat by the end of the year?
The opposite is true in Kalinaw-Davao del Norte where no NPA activity has been monitored. The AFP is denying reports of recruitment in the area.
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| https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/1001st-infantry-brigade-commander-denies-reports-of-npa-recruitment-in-aor/ |
BRIG. GEN. Ronnie Babac, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, dismissed reports of New People’s Army (NPA) recruitment activities within their area of responsibility.
“We haven’t monitored any such activities,” Babac said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing on Wednesday.
“However, we continue our efforts to engage the youth sector through the SEMR, a third-party organization that facilitates community dialogues.”
He added that the “Youth for Peace” in Davao de Oro, supported by Governor Dorothy Gonzaga and various companies, also contributes to the efforts to thwart NPA presence in the province.
Despite the absence of monitored NPA activity within their area, Babac said the brigade remains on moderate alert due to the enemy’s presence in the neighboring areas of the 10th Infantry Division, particularly in Caraga.
Recently, the Kalinaw-SEMR partnered with the 1001st Infantry Brigade, 1003rd Infantry Brigade, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the provincial local government unit (PLGU) of Davao del Norte, held a two-day assembly for former rebels of Davao del Norte at Samana Beach Resort, Barangay Tagnanan, Mabini, Davao de Oro, from Oct. 25-26, 2024.
With the theme “Pag Panday sa Bag-ong Dalan sa Kalinaw” (Forging a New Path for Peace), the event brought together 250 former rebels organized as Kalinaw Davao del Norte, reaffirming their commitment to peace and the government’s efforts to maintain an insurgency-free community.
Babac addressed the participants, emphasizing the critical role of Kalinaw-SEMR in fostering peace, healing, and reconciliation in the region.
His message encouraged collaborative efforts to entice more surrenderees and help them become productive members of society.
Kalinaw-Davao del Norte is dedicated to supporting the government’s peace-building goals, guided by the mission to insulate the province from the influence of Communist Terrorist Groups.
The assembly served as a platform for dialogue, sharing experiences, and discussing initiatives that further the collective peace and security objectives for Davao del Norte.
While there is no NPA activity in their area the NPA is active in neighboring areas. What is stopping them from regaining a hold in Kalinaw-Davao del Norte?
After all these recent clashes the AFP has seized several caches of firearms. First in Samar.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237309 |
Soldiers recovered more firearms after a series of clashes with rebels in Catubig, Northern Samar, the Philippine Army reported on Thursday.
Seized on Nov. 6 were one Blackwater M16 rifle, one Glock 17 9mm pistol, and some subversive documents in upland San Antonio village, Catubig town.
Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, commander of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, said in a statement that troops found these firearms while pursuing fleeing rebels engaged in a series of gun battles since Nov. 5.
“The firefight in San Antonio village between our troops and nine NPA (New People's Army) members lasted for several minutes before the insurgents withdrew,” Villaflor said.
The nine NPA combatants belong to a bond of rebels who clashed with government forces on Nov. 5 in upland Sulitan village, also in Catubig town, where two rebels, including a high-ranking leader, were killed.
The military identified the fatalities as Glen Acebuche alias Baste, a platoon and squad leader of Front Committee 15, NPA Sub-Regional Committee Arctic, and Jerick Adante alias Gino, a member of Squad 2 under the regional guerrilla unit of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee.
Government troops also recovered one M16 rifle, four .45-caliber magazines, subversive documents, and personal belongings at the encounter site.
The series of gun battles started after soldiers responded to reports from civilians about armed NPA members extorting and intimidating farmers in the area.
The clash lasted several minutes before the insurgents retreated, leaving behind two of their dead comrades.
Meanwhile, Catubig town Mayor Solomon Vicencio expressed his sorrow for the deaths and extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families.
“The loss of these two individuals is a stark reminder of the dangers and consequences of joining armed groups and the suffering it brings not only to the individuals involved but also to their families and communities,” Vicencio said in a separate statement on Thursday.
Northern Samar is considered the country's last bastion of insurgency.
Recently, the military dismantled two NPA front committees, prompting its remnants to regroup into a sub-regional guerilla unit.
Although there are still active fighters in Northern Samar, they are no longer in control of any village in Samar Island, according to the Philippine Army.
Next in Oriental Mindoro.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/7/npa-arms-cache-recovered-in-oriental-mindoro |
Troops recovered a New People’s Army arms cache following an encounter in Barangay Villa Pag-asa, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday afternoon.
Brig. Gen. Randolph G. Cabangbang, commander of the Army 203rd Brigade, said soldiers from the 76th Infantry (Victrix) Battalion were conducting a security operation in Sitio Gitgit when they engaged a group of 15 NPA rebels.
The communist rebels fled after a 20-minute gunfight, leaving behind an M16 rifle, M16 rifle upper receiver, three hand grenades, a detonator switch, three magazines for M16 rifle, and 30 bullets. No casualties were recorded among government troopers.
Cabangbang said the NPA rebels belong to the Ignacio Claveria Magadia Command and Main Regional Guerilla Unit, Sub-Regional Military Area 4D, Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee that operate in the hinterlands of southern Mindoro provinces.
He said troops, backed by the police and the local government unit, are now conducting humanitarian and debriefing among residents in the area.
Major Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr., commander of the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division based in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal, called on the remaining NPA in Mindoro to return to the fold of the law and avail of the government’s amnesty offer under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Finally in Kalinga.
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| https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/104926/govt-troops-recover-ammunition-explosives-allegedly-from-cppnpa-in-kalinga/story/ |
Troops from the 103rd Infantry Battalion (103IB) of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) of the Philippine Army unearthed a cache of live ammunition, an improvised explosive device (IED), and other items belonging allegedly to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in a remote area in Balbalan, Kalinga.
The discovery happened during a long-range patrol by Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) personnel under the 103rd Battalion's "Oplan Ultimatum."
They found the items, including rounds of .45 caliber pistol ammunition, in Sitio Babacong, Barangay Gawaan.
The location reportedly appeared to have served as an old encampment for the WKLG Baggas unit of the communist group’s Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee in 2022.
Following the recovery, troops searched the area thoroughly to ensure it was secure, and documented all items for proper handling.
Authorities continue to urge remaining members of the CPP-NPA in Cordillera to surrender.
"The management of 103IB under the leadership of 5ID never ceases to call on the remaining elements of CPP-NPA-NDF in Cordillera to lay down their arms and revert to the fold of government to enjoy the real essence of lasting peace and inclusive development," the 5ID said in a statement.
The discovery of this cache happened "during a long-range patrol" rather than after a clash. But there are still remnants who could clash with the AFP.
Intelligence is an important in the war against the insurgency. At least intelligence is important when the AFP does not ignore it. For some reason the AFP has created a brand new intel group.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/6/afp-creates-new-intel-group-but-why |
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) created yet another intelligence group as it acknowledges the crucial role of information warfare in its overall campaign strategy to protect the country and the people.
The AFP Intelligence Command (AIC) was activated on August 21 “to enhance the nation’s intelligence capabilities in response to evolving security challenges,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
The newly-activated command is being led by its commander, Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Barandon.
“This renewed establishment addresses the pressing need for a more adaptive and efficient intelligence,” Padilla said.
However, Padilla could not explain how the AIC would function administratively as the AFP already has the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) which conducts intelligence operations under the command of the AFP chief of staff.
The ISAFP's primary function is to provide the military with accurate, relevant, and timely data to help commanders make decisions.
The AFP also has a counterintelligence command, the AFP Counterintelligence Group (AFP-CIG), which neutralizes espionage efforts by other countries and their agents. The AFP-CIG's mandate is to conduct counterintelligence operations nationwide.
Asked how the AIC will function, Padilla responded: “[I] prefer not to respond in detail at this time.”
She, however, noted that the AFP is “focused on enhancing coordination across all intelligence units to ensure a unified approach to emerging threats.”
Last Monday, Nov. 4, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stated that the military will incorporate for the first time an information warfighting exercise in the AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) DAGIT-PA 2024.
He said this highlights the critical need for strategic communications and information operations in modern defense operations. As the nature of warfare evolves, Brawner stressed the importance of equipping the military not only with the physical readiness but also with robust capabilities in the digital and informational domains.
“We need to provide correct information to the public amid the proliferation of fake news. Sometimes, fake news could turn the tide of the war,” Brawner said.
“Just look at what’s happening in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. Other countries have a strong information warfare because they want to give their own narrative to the entire world. We all know it’s the ships of the China Coast Guard and militia that are ramming us but in the news, they are making it appear that we are the ones bumping them. So we have to couter that and we have to rehearse that in times of war,” the military chief added.
Funny how not even the AFP can even explain how this redundant intelligence office will operate. At least they prefer to not explain.
