In this ongoing weekly look at the progress of the Philippine Government's fight against the insurgency we have seen several tired propagandist phrases such as "soon to be irrelevant" and "soon to be defeated." Now there's a new phrase in town which is likely as equally void of any meaning: "Mass demoralization."
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159976 |
The commander of the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) on Tuesday said the "mass demoralization" of New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas is expected to happen following the death of its ranking leader Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos.
"After Ka Oris's death, we expected a spring of surrenderers from the CTG (Communist Terrorist Groups) as many of its members will realize that the armed struggle is a lost cause that has only wasted the lives of so many innocent Filipinos and that the long arms of justice will eventually catch those who choose violent lives," said Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., 4ID commander, in a statement.
This, according to Brawner following the surrender of another six combatants in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on Nov. 14.
Bernie M. Sinunta alias Boboy, intel officer and vice commanding officer of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee's (NCRMC) Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), led the surrenderers.
The former NPA rebels claimed they were demoralized as a result of the internal crisis caused by Madlos' death, as well as the scarcity of food, and supplies and the incessant focus on military operations in the area.
The allegedly demoralized NPA members surrendered in Bukidnon.
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| https://www.kalinawnews.com/demoralization-within-the-ranks-of-the-ctg-continues-6-ctg-members-with-high-powered-firearms-surrender-to-4id-troops-in-bukidnon/ |
The indicative demoralization among the leaders and members of the CPP-NPA-NDF in Bukidnon continues as six (6) CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs), voluntarily surrendered to the government troops under the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division on Sunday night, November 14, in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon.
Bernie M. Sinunta alias Boboy, the Intel Officer/Vice Commanding Officer (VCO) of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee’s (NCRMC) Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), led the surrenderers. They disclosed that they are demoralized as a result of the internal (organization) crisis caused by Ka Oris’ death, as well as the scarcity of food, and supplies and the incessant focus at military operations in the area.
That is just one group of six people who have surrendered since the death of Ka Oris who have claimed to be demoralized specifically by his killing.
Another group of 11 NPA fighters from Bukidnon surrendered also citing "demoralization."
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1160275 |
Following the surrender of six members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front in Bukidnon last Sunday, another group of 11 CPP-NPA terrorists have surrendered to the military at Barangay Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon on November 17.
Citing demoralization within their ranks, 11 guerrillas including a child-soldier of the Guerilla Front (GF) Malayag under Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2) of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) surrendered to the elements of 88th Infantry Battalion, Military Intelligence unit, and the 3rd Infantry Battalion.
They admitted that losing their leaders and the continuous focused military operations of the 4ID troops forced them to flee, and prevented them to organize and recruit to regain control and influence over their target barangays.
Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., commander of the 4ID, said GF Malayag has been virtually dismantled as the surrenderers were the only remaining members and leaders in the group.
Brawner said it is the final blow that will end GF Malayag, as the surrenderers have chosen to abandon the armed struggle.
The arrest of alias Migs, their guerilla front secretary, the death of veteran NPA leader, Ka Oris, and the surrender of six others eventually led to their decision to surrender.
“I am elated with this very significant development because this is the result of our relentless campaign against the said terrorist group in the Pantaron Mountain Ranges covering Malaybalay City, San Fernando, and Cabanglasan Bukidnon. I commend the 88IB and 403rd Brigade, as well as the intelligence units, for another victory. They worked tirelessly with civilians in order to attain this success,” Brawner said.
“On the other hand, we welcome Ka Kimay’s decision to heed the government’s call for peace. We have proven to them the Army’s professionalism and respect for human rights. Your Army has been true to its commitment to ensure the safety of those who surrender. They will be provided with necessary assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, and help them build their lives anew with their loved ones,” he added.
Brawner underlined the significant milestone that not only the people of Bukidnon have longed for but all peace-loving people, hence, they can live peacefully after several years of being threatened and exploited.
“This is history in the making. Bukidnon will finally be free from the clutches of the CPP-NPA-NDF. Truly, the end of the communist terrorist group in Bukidnon is happening. Meanwhile, we will exploit our gains and intensify our military operations. This is the best time to push further and harder in order to finally eradicate the whole NCMRC and continue our pivot against the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) in the Caraga region,” Brawner added.
But is is truly the end of the communist insurgency in Bukidnon? Based on past proclamations of "the end" of the NPA it is best to continue with operations and not count any chickens before they are hatched. It does seems that the insurgency is winding down as more NPA fighters take advantage of the government's lucrative bribery program.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1160026 |
National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Wednesday said there is only one Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) guerilla front remaining in the Mimaropa, thanks to the joint efforts of security and civilian agencies in the region.
"Mostly due to the success of the security operations, I am proud to note that only one guerilla front of the CPP-NPA-NDF Terrorist Triad remains in the Mimaropa. From 2016 to 2021, the region has seen the surrender of 455 former rebels who are now being assisted by the government agencies in their transition into peaceful and productive lives," Esperon said in a statement.
He said peace and security in Region 4-B composed of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan have been effectively managed through the joint efforts of security forces and civilian agencies in the region.
"Through the combined efforts of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), supported by numerous line agencies and regional offices of national government agencies, the region has had a thriving economic development," Esperon said.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1160279 |
A ranking communist guerrilla who surrendered to the military in Makilala, North Cotabato has admitted that their group has lost its appeal to the masses.
A certain alias “Allan," 51, a New Peoples’ Army (NPA) combatant, surrendered to the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Makilala town at 6 a.m. on Friday.
He told military officials that the loss of the NPA mass base supporters and the loss of firearms forced him to surrender.
“His surrender was preceded by the discovery of the 39IB and the 73IB of the largest arms cache of communist rebels in Sitio Bagyang, Barangay Upper Suyan, Malapatan, Sarangani from a series of operations between November 11 to 16,” the 39IB said in a statement.
Allan admitted that the firearms that were recovered by the military has weakened his unit.
The arms cache, numbering a total of 30 high-powered firearms, included a .30-caliber machinegun, 17 M-16 rifles, seven AK-47 rifles, four M14 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, ammunition, and rifle parts.
In CamSur guns were dug up which were going to be used next year during election season.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1160299 |
The high-powered firearms dug up in Camarines Sur last week were meant to be used by the New People's Army to launch tactical offensives in next year's elections, an Army official said on Friday.
Lt. Col. Cleto Lelina, Army’s 9th Infantry Battalion commander based in Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte, in an interview said there could be more firearms hidden by the rebels in preparation for their modus operandi on issuing “permit-to-win” and “permit-to-campaign” during the campaign period.
Lelina said the rebels were having difficulties in their operations due to the anti-insurgency offensives being carried out by government forces that’s why they are forced to just bury the firearms.
“Besides, the rebels are having a hard time implementing their anti-government tactics because the people are now tipping off their presence and activities in the barangays,” Lelina told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
At least nine high-powered firearms placed inside a drum were excavated in the forested portion of Sitio Eme in Barangay Bagong Silang in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur last week.
The excavated firearms were five M16 and two M14 rifles; an M79 grenade launcher; and an M72 light anti-tank weapon.
Brig. General Jaime Abawag, Army’s 902nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the firearms are also being used in the coercive collection of revolutionary tax or "butaw" to farmers and contractors of government projects in their area of operations.
He echoed Lelina's statement that the rebels already started to gather these high-powered firearms to be used not only to forcibly collect revolutionary tax but also to sow terror and carry out extortions during the elections.
This week two of the NPA fighters nabbed just happened to be the "brains" behind several terror attacks. The first was caught in Butuan.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159916 |
The arrested top commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Northeastern Mindanao was behind the series of terroristic activities and economic sabotage that has destroyed millions of pesos in businesses and livelihood in Surigao del Norte.
In a statement Tuesday, the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) said Gelan Ybañez alias Weng, leader of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Platoon 16B NPA Guerilla Front 16 Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, and his group were responsible for the attack in Sison, Surigao del Norte earlier this year that sowed fear among its residents.
On January 28, an undetermined number of fully-armed NPA guerrillas simultaneously harassed the municipal police station of Sison and the residence of the town mayor.
In February, the NPA leader also led the burning of two units of heavy equipment used at the construction of a farm-to-market road in Binocaran, Malimono town, according to the military.
In June, the 30IB said Ybañez’s group destroyed a prawn farm in Purok 1, Barangay Pili, Malimono.
“We are thankful for the support the communities provided to our troops. The arrest of Ybañez will pave the way for continued development interventions in communities that will bring lasting peace,” Lt. Col. Ryan Charles Callanta, the 30IB commander, said in a statement.
He said the support of the civilians indicates that communities in Surigao del Norte are tired of the terroristic activities of the NPA.
The second brain was nabbed in Bulucan.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1515937/6-alleged-npa-rebels-including-high-ranking-exec-arrested-in-qc-bulacan-pnp |
Six suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed group, the New People’s Army (NPA), were arrested in simultaneous operations in Bulacan and Quezon City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The newly-installed PNP chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, identified one of the suspects as a certain Gil Peralta, supposedly a regular member of CPP who acted as a convener of the party’s second congress.
Peralta was arrested in Barangay Maribolo, Quezon City, by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Citing PNP records, Carlos tagged Peralta as the secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyon–Cagayan Valley (KR-CV) who has warrants of arrest for arson and frustrated murder.
“Peralta is likewise one of the brains behind the many NPA attacks in Cagayan Valley region, including the burning of DDT Construction equipment in the town of Lal-lo, Cagayan in October 2020, and attack in a CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) detachment in Sto Niño, Cagayan on July 2019,” Carlos said.
“Peralta was also implicated in the ambush and murder of the former Lasam, Cagayan Councilor Marjorie April Salazar, Eduardo Asuten, John Rey Cortes and Aiza Salvador Manuel. Former members of KR-CV revealed that Peralta was involved in corruption activities within the CPP-NPA,” he added.
“The apprehension of Peralta and his five staff will significantly affect the leadership and organization of the CPP-NPA, especially in Cagayan Valley Region. Likewise, it will give justice to the victims of the NPA in the Cagayan Valley region,” he added.
So, it appears the AFP's offensives against the NPA are going well. Some NPA are surrendering, some are getting captured, and arms caches are being discovered. But, as said before, based on past history the AFP has always claimed the end of the insurgency is near. Even if it is they should not let their guard down.
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