Insurgency: Tight Poll Watch

Last week the AFP declared all NPA fronts to be insurgent free. Obviously that is not the case as the AFP continues to engage in firefights with the NPA. Out of 13 rebels neutralized in the Central Visayas in September 16 were killed while the rest surrendered. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/3/army-neutralizes-30-npa-rebels-in-western-central-visayas

The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army neutralized 30 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Western and Central Visayas in September.

The 3rd ID said 16 NPA rebels were killed while others surrendered from September 1 to September 30.

Among the communist fighters killed was Rebecca Alfaro, alias “Jing,” who was among three casualties in a September 29 encounter with the 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) in Leon town, Iloilo province. Alfaro was the secretary of the NPA Southern Front Committee in Panay Island. 

Others were killed in clashes in Negros Island which is under the area of coverage of 3rd ID units. 

Among the 12 NPA rebels who surrendered last month through the efforts of the 79th IB was a former secretary of the NPA Northern Negros Front.  

The 3rd ID also seized 33 firearms – 15 high-powered and 18 low-powered – and five explosives. 

The 3rd ID attributed the neutralization of the NPA rebels to the strong support of locals who provided ground information. 

“Our persistent victory in crushing the NPA is a result of the unwavering support and cooperation from the local populace. They have become increasingly vigilant, providing us with timely and accurate information about the movement and activities of the NPA,” said Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander.

Down south in Western Mindanao the AFP says the influx of NPA surrendering continues. 

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Three more communist terrorist group remnants yielded to the military in Sultan Kudarat on September 24, 2023. 

The surrendered personalities handed over two 5.56mm Colt M16 rifles and one Cal .38 revolver to the armed forces at the headquarters of the 37th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tibpuan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.  

Based on the initial revelation of the former rebels, they decided to surrender because of the hardships and pressure brought about by the continuous conduct of military operations against them and the lack of morale and financial support from the leadership of the Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR), the group that they former belong. 

Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, Commander of Joint Task Force Central, said that the surrender of CTG remnants is an indication of the continuous downfall of the group. It is brought about by the relentless efforts of the military to conduct decisive military operations against the armed components of the FSMR and the effective CSP operations in the sitios that are considered to be the mass base of the CTGs. 

Surrendered personalities underwent custodial debriefing while their documents were processed for enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).  

Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, commended the Joint Task Force Central for the influx of CTG surrenders in Central Mindanao.  

“The snowball of surrenders exemplifies the continuous dwindling of the group. Through our convergence, we are able to transform Mindanao into a better place to live in,” Maj. Gen. Crespillo added.  

Funny how three is an "influx" and a "snowball of surrenders." It's a rather piecemeal operation. In Davao Norte, a region declared insurgency free, three NPA fighters surrendered because they were tired and hungry. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1210987

Saying they are exhausted and hungry, three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the military’s 56th Infantry Battalion (56IB) and handed over two high-powered firearms in the Davao Del Norte town of Talaingod, an official said Tuesday.

Major Mark Anthony Tito, the Army’s 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, identified the surrenderers only as “Sander”, vice-squad leader of the NPA Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabibad (SRSDG) Peddler, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), and the two others as “Alvin” and “Toks”.

Tito said the trio, who yielded on Sept. 30 to the 56IB in Barangay Palma Gil, once operated along the border areas of Talaingod and Bukidnon province.

“They confessed that they are very tired, and they are pressured of the military operations conducted by our troops. Also, they said they are starving,” Tito said in an interview.

The three also surrendered two M16 rifles and one rifle grenade ammunition as a testament to their commitment to peace and reconciliation.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Allan Hambala, the 10ID acting commander, underscored the importance of NPA fighters voluntarily laying down arms, describing it as an "essential milestone in the region's ongoing efforts to sustain an Insurgency-free Davao Region."

Do not forget that Davao Norte was delacred insurgency free last year. That means NO INSURGENTS. But we see three insurgents have surrendered and the 10ID acting commander says "NPA fighters voluntarily laying down arms" is an "essential milestone in the region's ongoing efforts to sustain an Insurgency-free Davao Region."

How ridiculous! With this admission it is clear that the region was never and is not now insurgent free.

The NPA fronts are so not insurgent free that three villages in Negros Occidental are being watched for interference during the upcoming election. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211163

Three villages in Negros Occidental identified as areas of grave concern due to the monitored presence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) will be tightly secured for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

These include Barangay Minapasuk of Calatrava town in the north and Barangays Quintin Remo and Macagahay of Moises Padilla town in central Negros.

Col. Leo Pamittan, provincial director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), said the three villages are part of the updated election areas of concern validated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine Army (PA).

“These barangays have the presence of (a) communist-terrorist group. That is the reason why. Nonetheless, we have nothing to worry about since we have this (under) control. We hope we will not reach the point that they will be placed under the Comelec control. As of now, it is manageable,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) meeting at the Negros Residences on Wednesday.

Pamittan said while there is insurgency concern, they have not monitored intense political rivalry in the three villages.

He added that both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will make those in the “red” category or areas of grave concern a priority for the deployment of security personnel, especially the quick reaction forces. 

With these statements how can anyone believe the fiction that the NPA fronts are all insurgent free? It makes no sense. Clearly it's just propaganda and outright lies from the AFP.

While it is a fact that these fronts are not insurgent free Marcos says it is achievable, at least for the Visayas, to reach that status. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/6/insurgency-free-western-visayas-is-achievable-marcos-says

Considering the decreasing trend of communist terrorist groups in Western Visayas, President Marcos believes that declaring  the region as insurgency-free is achievable.

Marcos expressed this during a situation briefing with the Philippine Army in Camp General Macario Peralta Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz on Friday, Oct. 6.

He expressed optimism that clearing the region from insurgency is achievable, citing the decreasing trend of communist terrorist groups (CTGs) force shown since 2019.

“We must keep on going and we’ll wait for your invitation to come back when you declare this area insurgent-free… I think it’s achievable,” he said.

The President told the Philippine Army that they need to ensure that these groups will no longer have the platform to finance its operations. He also commended them for sustaining peace efforts in the region.

“I would (like to) congratulate you for the good progress that you’re making. Keep the pressure going…I know that the other units are also doing it in terms of the financing. But perhaps, you could put more emphasis on that,” he said.

Marcos says keep going and invite me back when the region is actually insurgent free. It's too funny and a deep cut to the pride of the AFP. 

In Albay an NPA leader was killed during an encounter with the PNP.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211155

The Police Regional Office-5 (PRO5)-Bicol on Wednesday identified the two New People's Army (NPA) rebels killed in an encounter with police operatives in Barangay Bascaran, Daraga, Albay on Tuesday.

In a report, Lt. Col Malu Calubaquib, PRO5 spokesperson, identified the suspects as Rizaldy Perdigon, a high-ranking leader of the NPA and head of Rebolusyonaryong Buwis sa Kaaway na Uri-Albay, and Allan Balde Leron, a member of Platoon 3, Sub-Regional Committee 3, Bicol Regional Party Committee, who had a pending case for violation of Republic Act 11479, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

"These two deliberately fired shots at the personnel on duty at Bascaran Police Assistance Center (BPAC), endangering the safety and welfare of the public. Fortunately, no government personnel or members of the public sustained injuries, as the police force responded swiftly and effectively countered their actions," Calubaquib said.

She said Perdigon faced multiple pending charges, including three counts of attempted murder, 13 counts of attempted homicide, four counts of murder and destructive arson, and was linked to heinous crimes, including targeted killings, ambushes of both police officers and civilians and extortion activities targeting the public and local businesses.

"Leron, during their attacks at Bascaran Police Assistance Center, was responsible for driving the motorcycle used in the assaults," Calubaquib said.

How many more high-ranking NPA leaders are out there? 

Meanwhile in Basilan 14 Abu Sayyaf supporters have surrendered. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211215

Fourteen Abu Sayyaf Group combatants and their supporters have surrendered to the Army's 101st Infantry Brigade (Bde) in Isabela City, Basilan province, an official said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, 101Bde commander, said the surrender Wednesday was made possible through the joint efforts of various military field units in the province.

In a statement, Luzon said the group handed over two M14 rifles, five M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, two M79 grenade launchers, two Garand rifles, and a 9mm Intratec TEC-KG9 assault rifle during the surrender rites.

Luzon also credited the support of the Basilan provincial police office and the local government units of Sumisip, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Tipo-Tipo, and Lantawan for the achievement.

Western Mindanao Command chief, Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo, commended the former combatants for making the right decision.

“Rest assured that we will help them to start anew through the reintegration programs of the government," he said.

Ah, yes. Rest assure these 14 people who supported terrorism will never see a day in jail but will benefit from programs paid by taxpayers. Isn't that special?