Insurgency: Crush Remaining NPA

The AFP has released their numbers for the first quarter of 2023. These numbers include the neutralization of NPA, Abu Sayyaf, BIFF, and Daulah Islamiyah members. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199075

A total of 137 communist and local terrorist group members have been neutralized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during focused military operations conducted in various parts of the country from Jan. 1 to March 31 this year.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor, in a statement Sunday night, said 82 of the 137 terrorists neutralized are from the New People's Army (NPA).

"Against the communist terrorist groups (CTGs), the AFP neutralized 82 regular members. Of these, 17 were killed in combat operations, 20 were apprehended or captured, and 45 surrendered to government forces," he added.

Baclor said the AFP also captured 210 firearms during encounters with NPA forces and recovered another 109 through surrenders.

Around 87 anti-personnel mines (APMs) were also seized while 51 NPA "encampments" were discovered.

"Of the 22 remaining guerrilla fronts of the CTG, only three remain active, while 19 are considered weakened and nearing dismantling," Baclor said.

Meanwhile, the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group lost 30 of its members as 28 surrendered and two were captured.

Military troops also captured six firearms during encounters and gained 29 through surrenders, Baclor said.

"Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) continue to suffer losses as three members were killed in combat operations while 18 surrendered to government troops. The BIFF also lost 64 firearms and nine APMs," he added.

Also, three members of the terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah were killed due to focused military operations, while one surrendered.

The AFP also recovered one firearm while three APMs were seized.

"These significant tactical victories against the CTG and other local terrorist groups were made possible due to the dedication and commitment of AFP troops with the support of the LGUs (local government units) and other law-enforcement agencies," Baclor said.

In Tacloban City 54 NPA mass supporters surrendered. One of them is a 14 year old boy.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199250

At least 55 staunch allies of the New People’s Army (NPA), including a teener and village officials, have surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas between April 3 to 11, an official said Wednesday.

In a press statement, 49 yielded to authorities during the Holy Week and six of them showed up to policemen on April 11. These NPA supporters belong to the NPA’s underground mass organizations (UGMO).

Most of the UGMO members are residents of the upland villages of Bagacay, Bangon and Osmeña in Palapag town in Northern Samar. Some are residents of Laurel Village in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar and Cal-igan Village in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Among the surrenderers are village officials and health workers. The youngest is 14-year-old and the eldest is 70-year-old.

They yielded to authorities after joint negotiations between the community, police and military forces in Samar provinces.

“Their surrender is a result of the joint negotiations between the community and the police and military forces in the Samar provinces. To put an end to this false propaganda once and for all, we will continue to urge other NPA members to turn themselves into the authorities and lay down their arms,” PNP Eastern Visayas regional director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said.

The PNP is currently verifying court records if those who surrendered have standing warrants.

The NPA has established UGMOs to further assist the armed atrocities and other activities of the rebel group.

How exactly a 14 year old was supporting the NPA we are not told. Is he part of the CPP-NPA's shadow government?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199365

Ten members of the Sangay Partido Local (SLP) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) from the municipality of Hamtic have surrendered to the  Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO). 

APPO Information Officer Major Adolfo Pagharion said the group consisting of five councilors, two village watchmen, and three farmers from Barangay Cantulan signed their individual manifesto withdrawing their support to the CPP-NPA on April 12, three days after they surrendered to the local police.

The manifesto signing was witnessed by APPO director Col. Alexander Mariano.

“The surrenderees belong to the ‘shadow government’ of the CPP-NPA and are tasked to inform whenever there is a military operation, gather the residents during their meetings, provide food and collect the revolutionary tax,” Pagharion said. 

Pagharion said Barangay Cantulan was infiltrated by the CPP-NPA in 2018.

“The Antique provincial government, during their surrender and withdrawal of support, initially provided them with a sack of rice and hygiene kits,” Pagharion said. 

The surrenderers are also expected to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Visayas Command chief has renewd his call for the NPA to lay down thier arms. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199093

Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, Visayas Command (Viscom) chief, has reiterated his call on the remaining New People’s Army rebels to put down their arms while the government offers to provide them with opportunities to live as normal members of society.

“The door of genuine peace remains open for you. Grab the opportunity and take it while you still have the chance. Follow the lead of your former comrades, lay down your arms, return to the folds of the law, and live a peaceful life with your families,” Arevalo said in a statement issued on Monday.

Arevalo said the Communist Party of the Philippines’ armed wing, NPA, is crumbling as they continue to lose its foothold in the Visayas.

The Viscom chief said the remaining communist fighters have only two options, either to stay on the course of their false armed struggle and fall to the long arms of justice, or return to the folds of the law and enjoy a peaceful and progressive life with their loved ones.

While the NPA is still active in the Visayas both the Army and the PNP have downplayed their ability to launch attacks. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199322

The Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas have belied reports circulating online about the planned attacks of the New People's Army.

The PA was referring to a statement circulating on social media these past days, informing the public that the police and the military in Samar Island are on full alert status for possible attacks.

The 8th Infantry Division of the PA immediately branded the statement as “black propaganda orchestrated by enemies of the state to attract support from sympathizers and instill fear in the populace.”

The message, which was shared multiple times, warns the public to avoid entering malls, churches, public markets, and other places of convergence.

“The Army enjoins the general public to refrain from sharing and posting such disinformation that would tend to exacerbate the situation as it causes panic and fear from among the people of Samar and other nearby areas,” the 8th Infantry Division said.

In a separate statement, the PNP regional office here asked the public not to entertain such disinformation and refrain from sharing it with others.

“With this, the whole force of Police Regional Office 8 assures the public that all police personnel are doing their best efforts in maintaining the peace and order in the whole of Eastern Visayas,” the PNP said.

Earlier, the regional task force to end local communist armed conflict said the NPA cannot launch attacks in town centers with their weakening forces in the region.

Of the four NPA guerrilla fronts that operated in Samar Island last year, one was dismantled early in 2023 and the other one has been weakened.

The AFP says another front in Samar has been dismantled and another has been weakened. The end is near for the NPA in Samar according to the AFP.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199419

There are now only two active New People’s Army (NPA) guerilla fronts in Samar Island that the government forces will deal with following the dismantling of one front and weakening of another during the first quarter of 2023, the Philippine Army bared on Friday.

Army's 8th Infantry Division commander, Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, said the rebel’s Front Committee 2 that operated in the boundary of Samar and Northern Samar provinces was demolished with the capture and surrender of some of their combatants and recovery of several firearms.

The Front Committee 3 which operates near the boundaries of Northern and Eastern Samar provinces has also weakened following the series of operations conducted by government forces, said Ligayo.

The Army official said he was optimistic that the remaining two NPA guerilla fronts in Northern Samar will soon be demolished during the third quarter of the year.

“With the strength of 12 army battalions, including police forces, I am confident that we have optimized the employment of our capabilities to ensure that we win the fight against communist terrorists,” Ligayo said in a statement.

Col. Efren Morados, commander of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade said although Front committees 1 and 15 are still active, they are not in control of any village in Northern Samar.

“They are still present in Northern Samar since the focus in the past was the Leyte and other Samar provinces. Since 2020, we have cleared all villages, cut their support from communities, and now we are on the stage of running after their armed fighters,” Morados said.

In 2020, there were 232 NPA-influenced villages out of 569 villages in Northern Samar province. 

The two remaining fronts are in the upland villages of Catubig, Las Navas, Silvino Lobos, Palapag, Mapanas, and Gamay.

“They are in the hinterland villages. Since there is no support from communities, they survive by harvesting coconut, upland rice, and other crops in the mountains,” Morados said.

Some upland communities in Northern Samar are considered the hotbed of the communist terrorist group due to their thick forest and poor road networks.

The AFP has also vowed to crush the NPA in Surigao and Agusan before the year's end.  

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2023/04/12/army-officer-vows-to-crush-remaining-npa-units-in-h1/

THE 10TH Infantry Division vows to crush the remaining three guerilla fronts under its area of responsibility before the end of June this year. 

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra said the target is attainable since the three guerrilla fronts are already severely weakened.

“We have just given additional area in order to help the 4ID concentrate on their enemy in the area of Surigao and Agusan,” he said.

The GF 14 operates in Agusan and Surigao, while the GF 57 holes out at the boundary of North Cotabato and Bukidnon. In response, the Army assigned the 4th ID to Bukidnon to further cripple the capability of the communist terrorists.

“The 4ID can concentrate on the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) in Northern Bukidnon in the Pantaron Range and Surigao area,” he said.

Moreover, they are currently monitoring three “suspicious” non-government organizations reportedly doing community immersion activities in the indigenous communities in the region.

He said these NGOs have entered the areas of Pantukan in Davao de Oro, Gov. Generoso and Lupon in Davao Oriental, and Talaingod in Davao del Norte. 

Meanwhile, the 1002nd Another sub-regional command (SRC) group is being confronted by the 1002nd Infantry Brigade in Malungon, Sarangani. 

“We have now a new campaign plan pledge, “Pagkakaisa,” considering the insurgency-free status of the region. We opted to choose additional areas of responsibility instead of pulling out units going to other areas,” the commander said.

It remains to be seen how these predictions will play out.  Going historically, they won't come to fruition.