The AFP has insisted the NPA is leaderless and thus faces a leadership vacuum. But that appears to not be the case. Recently 3 top NPA leaders were killed in a firefight with the AFP.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231407 |
Three top leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Panay, including the consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), were killed during a series of encounters in the mountainous villages of Iloilo.
In a statement Friday, the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (3DPAO) identified the slain rebels as Vicente Hinojales, regional secretary of Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P) and known by the aliases Arjie, Hadjie, Mandi and LJ; Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala, 1st deputy secretary, KR-P, also known as Concha; and Vivian Torato Teodosio, secretary of the central front, KR-Panay with aliases Minerva/Mara/Moray.
Bocala, from Barangay Pueblo in Iloilo City’s Manduriao district, had a PHP5.3 million bounty on her head for murder.
Police arrested her in August 2015 in Molo district. She was released in 2016 to participate in the peace talks in Norway.
“However, when former President Rodrigo Duterte suspended the peace talks in February 2017, Concha jumped bail,” the statement said.
Concha and Teodosio were killed following a 10-minute firefight with troops from the 82nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao on Thursday.
Found in the encounter site were five high-powered firearms, including three M16 Rifles, one M79 grenade launcher, and one Visor, along with one shotgun and various war materiel, personal belongings, and subversive documents.
The clash happened while the troops were scouring the area after they found Hinojales abandoned and already in a state of decomposition at Sitio Igdagmay of the same village around noontime of the same day.
Oh, look. It's more #Dutertelegacy. Remember when he released several high profile rebels so they could be peace talk consultants? Of course the talks broke down and the dangerous criminals President Duterte released did not turn themselves in. The most high profile of those released were the Tiamzons who were ultimately blown to bits by the AFP while they were attempting to get away in a boat.
With the death of these three is there a leadership vacuum now? The AFP says the death of the NDF consultant proves the duplicity of the CPP.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231460 |
The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday said the series of clashes in Lambunao, Iloilo last week that led to the deaths of two ranking communist leaders and the recovery of the body of another one showed the duplicity of these individuals masquerading as National Democratic Front (NDF) consultants.
In a statement, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said these neutralized insurgent leaders are not consultants but active participants of "communist terrorism" in the conflict-affected and geographically isolated areas of the country.
Dema-ala added these illegal actions have brought nothing but suffering and fear to the people.
"The 301st Infantry Brigade troopers’ dedication to attain peace and progress in their area of responsibility is truly commendable. The continuous neutralization of CTGs and capture of war materiel, the local government units’ proactive delivery of basic and social services, and the community's participation in tracking these terrorists are testament to the people’s clamor for genuine peace and development in Panay," he added.
The NDF is part of the CPP and thus a group of terrorists? Who knew?
Two NPA leaders in the Northern Samar have surrendered which has further weakened the insurgency in the Eastern Visayas.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231636 |
The voluntary surrender of two high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army will further diminish the communist terrorist group's strength in Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Army said on Wednesday.
The surrender of alias Leo, the former leader of the squad 2, sub-regional guerilla unit, and alias Mael, the former finance officer of dismantled Front Committee 15, both from sub-regional committee Arctic of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee, is a significant development towards peace.
The two yielded to soldiers of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion in Dapdap village, Las Navas, Northern Samar, on Aug. 17.
On Aug. 16, alias Abner, a former member of Batakang Organisasyon sa Partido and a resident of Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar, withdrew their support from the NPA by showing up at the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Opong village, Catubig, Northern Samar.
Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, commander of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, said the surrender of these leaders is attributed to their focused military operations and the local peace engagement operation of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade.
“Due to the continuous implementation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), actively supported by local government units, stakeholders, and local chief executives in the area, the significant weakening of the NPA and their mass support is evident,” Villaflor stated.
“This demonstrates that the NPA in the region is now leaderless and powerless. They continue to weaken and disintegrate as your Philippine Army persistently pursues them, ensuring that no one is left to bring violence to our communities,” Ligayo stated.
He urged the remaining NPA members, especially those who are still hesitant, to surrender now and lay down their arms. The officials assured them that the government was ready to help them start a new life.
In Eastern Samar one leader and a medic surrendered leaving the local NPA with only 11 members.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/22/npa-leader-medic-surrender-in-eastern-samar |
A New People’s Army leader and medic surrendered to the military in Barangay Nato, Taft, Eastern Samar this week.
Rolando Romanca, commanding officer of the Apoy Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee Sesame, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, and medic Jovy Mendez yielded to the 52nd Infantry Battalion and 78th IB.
Their surrender was facilitated by the local government unit-led Localized Peace Engagement and Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families or the FReE Families program of the 802nd Infantry Brigade.
Romanca cited the deaths of their leaders Joel Gaurino and Martin Colima in recent encounters as a major factor in their decision to surrender.
He said that the group's morale had been significantly impacted, leading to a loss of motivation and a desire to return to a normal life.
Following their surrender, troops, with Romanca's assistance, discovered an arms cache composed of two M16 rifles, 11 magazines, 317 bullets, hand grenades, and subversive documents on Wednesday, August 21.
Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan, 78th IB commander, said that with the surrender of Romanca and Mendez, the Apoy Platoon now only has 11 remaining members.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, 802nd IBde commander, commended troops for their efforts in connecting with the families of the remaining NPA members.
That is six leaders who have been neutralized this week. 3 surrendered and 3 were killed. Is the AFP sure the NPA is facing a leadership crisis? How many more leaders are out there?
Operations continue against the NPA. Recently a couple married by the NPA were killed in battle.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231843 |
Two key remnants of the New People's Army (NPA) in central Negros died in a clash with troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday.
In a report, the 94IB identified the fatalities as Joan Lacio "Mark" Encarnacion, 31; and Jolina "Chloe" Martinez Sergio, 30, vice commanding officer and political instructor, respectively, of Central Negros 2, Sentro de Grabidad Platoon.
"They are a couple who were married by the rebel movement," Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs division chief of 3rd Infantry Division, told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.
The couple, who are residents of Sitio Cantupa, were married in 2017 in Sitio Bunsad, Barangay Buenavista.
They were wanted for attempted murder and homicide, according to the 94IB.
Their group was allegedly extorting from sugarcane farmers, project workers and quarry operators in their area of operation.
The 94IB report said after the troops were informed by residents about the rebels' presence in Sitio Pisok, they conducted a security patrol that resulted in a gunbattle with a group of five NPA rebels at around 8:40 a.m.
Three others fled, leaving behind the bodies of their two comrades along with an M16 rifle and an M14 rifle, both with magazines and assorted rounds of live ammunition.
Following the NPA’s recent defeats in Western Visayas, the Philippine Army (PA) said it would continue to swoop down on remaining insurgents.
"Yes, they are declining. Nonetheless, the PA is committed to sustaining our gains against this terrorist group. There will be no let up on our focused military operations to put into justice the remaining members of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA,” Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in an interview Friday.
He added the NPA’s force is dwindling “not only in Visayas but also in other regions”.
The article does not say it but vice commanding officer and political instructor are leadership positions which means these two are leaders. That put the count at 8 NPA leaders neutralized this week.
In Butuan City the AFP is pursuing the remaining NPA.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231648 |
Government troops belonging to the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) of the 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde) are pursuing remnants of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) after an encounter in the hinterlands of Barangay Salvacion, Butuan City on Monday.
In a statement on Wednesday, 901Bde commander, Brig. Gen. Arsenio Sadural, said the encounter took place as soldiers searched the area after learning from civilians about the presence of the rebels.
He said the NPA insurgents belonged to the regional headquarters of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee headed by Myrna Sularte, alias Maria Malaya.
“The 29IB troops engaged the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) twice – first, at around 10 a.m. and second, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday,” Sadural said.
He said the rebels suffered casualties, as indicated by bloodstains discovered in the encounter site.
The troops also recovered one M16 rifle, some ammunition, and other war paraphernalia abandoned by the fleeing rebels.
“The information provided by the civilians showed their disapproval of the recovery efforts and extortion activities being done by the remaining forces of the CTG in the area,” Sadural said, pledging that the Army would continue to dismantle the weakening structures and formations of the NPA in the area.
These rebels appear to be the only thing standing in the way of Agusan del Norte from being declared insurgency free.
The government has said it supports all former rebels even those who do not qualify for E-CLIP benefits.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231706 |
The 28 former rebels (FRs) from Antique province who returned to the fold of law before the establishment of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in 2018 are assured of government support as they restart their lives.
Col. Manolito Montiel, Deputy Commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, said during the “Dialogue for Peace” organized by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) in the Municipality of Barbaza on Wednesday that government agencies and local government units (LGUs) will extend support for their livelihood, medical attention, and other needs.
“We encourage you to create or organize yourselves into groups so that together you could be given support as you return to the mainstream of society,” Montiel said.
The FRs are from the towns of Barbaza with 16, Tibiao with four, Sebaste with six, and Culasi with two.
Antique Peace and Order and Public Safety consultant Margie Gadian said they organized the dialogue to provide a venue for former rebels to raise their concerns about their benefits.
“Rest assured that the government has not forgotten you,” she said in her message.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) assisted the group in selecting interim officers as representatives to the Provincial Peace and Order Council of Antique.
They will also receive assistance to individuals in crisis situation (AICS) from the PSWDO and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office, depending on their needs.
Johnny Arzaga of Barangay Calapadan, who served as the District Instructor Staff of the New People’s Army Northern Antique Front, said he needs to undergo surgery to remove the three bullets from his body that he sustained during an encounter with the government troops in 1987.
During the dialogue, the former rebels received three kilos of rice and hygiene kits as initial assistance from the provincial government.
In the meantime, Antique Police Provincial Office Director Col. Lea Rose Peña urged the FRs to encourage other rebels to surrender to the government and avail of support provided through the ECLIP.
The ECLIP package of assistance includes PHP50,000 livelihood aid and firearms remuneration depending on the type of firearm they surrender.
“Just let us know your needs, and we will do our best to provide solutions,” Peña said.
Isn't there a way for these people to be grandfathered-in? Seems like it would be best to solve this problem through legislature.
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