The AFP has given an update on how many NPA rebels and fronts remain. As of now there are 1,100 rebels and only 4 weekend fronts.
The military is now working on eradicating the four remaining weakened guerilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawer Jr. said on Friday.
In a press briefing, Brawner said the military targets to eradicate four weakened NPA guerilla fronts by the end of the year.
“About three months ago, we reported that there were seven remaining weakened guerrilla fronts. Now, there are only four. And we are expecting that by the end of the year, we will have finished all the guerrilla fronts. We will have reduced them to zero,” Brawner said.
He said these remaining weakened guerrilla fronts are operating in the Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas areas.
According to Brawner, NPA’s strength has been reduced from 2,200 fighters last year to 1,111 now.
(In terms of the strength of the New People's Army, they are really weak. So they only have about 1,111 fighters left from the 2,200 last year. So that is a big reduction in their manpower. And in terms of firearms, the reduction is the same, about 1,000 firearms have been reduced.)
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237529 |
The new commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division covering Eastern Visayas has vowed to strengthen the whole-of-nation approach to end insurgency in Leyte and Samar provinces.
In a statement Monday, Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio highlighted the role of government agencies and civil society organizations in addressing the insurgency problem and encouraged collaboration among local government leaders, government agencies, peace partners, and the community.
“I strongly believe that we cannot solve our longstanding insurgency problem through military solutions alone. A proactive and effective whole-of-nation approach is essential to achieving our goal,” he said.
Orio vowed to step up the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 —institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict in the region. The initiative is supported by local government units, stakeholders, and the private sector.
He also reminded the troops to perform their duties with the utmost commitment, noting that the public relies on the military to bring peace and development to the community.
The military earlier said deaths, surrender, and capture of high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army will further diminish the communist terrorist group's strength in Eastern Visayas.
The region, specifically Samar Island, is considered the country's last bastion of insurgency.
Recently, the military dismantled NPA front committees, prompting its remnants to regroup into a sub-regional guerilla unit.
Although there are still active fighters in Samar Island, they are no longer in control of any village in three Samar provinces, according to the Philippine Army.
How much more can these ties be strengthened? The whole-of-nation approach has been on going since 2017.
More weapons caches have been uncovered. This time in Caraga.
THE 4TH Infantry Division seized five firearms, a mortar weapon, and other war materiel during a series of surrenders by members of a communist terrorist group (CTG) and the discovery of arms caches in the Caraga region over the weekend.
Acting on tips from former CTG members, troops from the 75th Infantry Battalion, along with the 3rd Special Forces Battalion under the operational control of the 401st Infantry Brigade, successfully discovered two separate arms caches in the vicinity of Old Marang and Old Decoy, both located in Sitio Panukmoan, Brgy. Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, on November 8 and 9.
Brigadier General Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr., commander of the 401st Brigade, reported that the arms caches contained various war materiel and armaments, including a .50 caliber sniper rifle, a 60mm mortar, a .30 caliber Browning machine gun, magazines, and several live ammunition rounds.
“The discovery of these arms caches follows the recent surrenders of Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) terrorists, who provided critical information leading us to these hidden stockpiles of weapons. This is another significant development after the all-out offensives we launched in September, which resulted in the deaths and mass surrenders of CNTs. We believe these weapons were intended for use in CTG atrocities, particularly in vulnerable areas within our area of responsibility (AOR), and we are grateful to have captured them with the assistance of those who surrendered,” Lorenzo added.
Brig. Gen. Arsenio DC Sadural, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said these developments show the disarray among members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).
He noted that they lack direction and are suffering from hunger, exhaustion, and fear of dying in confrontations.
“The CTG must now recognize the futility of their cause. They need to peacefully surrender because we will not cease our efforts in this fight. Their terrorist agendas have no place in the peace-loving communities within our area of responsibility. It would be better for them to surrender and take advantage of the reintegration programs offered by the government,” BGen. Sadural said.
In his statement, Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, commander of the 4ID, emphasized that these recent accomplishments significantly weakened the capabilities of the CTG to carry out violent acts.
He noted that these successes support the 4ID’s ongoing campaign to dismantle the CTG, aligning to end the local communist armed conflict within its area of responsibility.
“Their ability to conduct attacks and destabilize our government, as well as disrupt the peace of our communities, has been largely diminished. This allows us to advance our campaign to ultimately defeat this criminal group and work towards declaring every province a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS). This declaration will pave the way for peace, development projects, and new opportunities,” Cuerpo said.
Of course this means the NPA remnants are exhausted, hungry, and fearful. That's why they have all surrendered. Right?
In another abandoned NPA lair not weapons but an infant's remains were found.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237872 |
The Philippine Army has uncovered the remains of an infant in an abandoned lair of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the mountains of Catubig, Northern Samar, indicating a possible violation of human rights and the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
The Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion reported on Thursday that troops also found some baby clothes, a milk bottle, and a baby pillow.
Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, commander of the 20th Infantry Battalion, said the discovery on Nov. 11 highlights the risks and hardships civilians, including infants, face in conflict areas controlled by armed groups.
“The discovery cites the presence of civilians in hostile environments and the alleged use of non-combatants in terrorist-occupied zones,” Villaflor said.
Reports indicate that some communist group members may have been pregnant or have given birth under unsafe and difficult conditions within the encampment, according to the official.
“We are committed to protecting the rights and welfare of civilians, especially the most vulnerable, and will not tolerate violations of human rights or humanitarian law,” he added.
The Army unit, in coordination with the local government, is arranging a decent burial for the infant.
Catubig Mayor Solomon Vicencio, in a statement, expressed his deep sadness that the conflict has claimed a young, innocent life.
“It’s heartbreaking to see that a child must bear the burden of the choices made by others. I appeal to those who still consider the path of violence to think of the families, the children, and the future generation that suffers as a result. Let us work together toward peace and development, giving our children the opportunity to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, free from the consequences of armed conflict,” Vicencio said in a separate statement.
The discovery of abandoned lairs is part of the intensified hunt of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion for remnants of NPA combatants engaged in a series of clashes in the mountains of Catubig town.
The series of gun battles in Catubig began on Nov. 5 after soldiers responded to reports from civilians about armed NPA members extorting and intimidating farmers in the area.
It is a very creepy and sad discovery. Remember in 2020 when the AFP found birth control pills and condoms in an abandoned NPA lair?
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103830 |
Birth control pills were among the personal items recovered by Philippine Army troops inside the lair of New People’s Army (NPA) in a remote village of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental over the weekend.
Photos of three stubs of oral contraceptive tablets were released by the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) on Saturday afternoon, a day after soldiers of 94th Infantry Battalion engaged communist-terrorists in a firefight in Barangay Buenavista and found their hideout in the area.
Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303IBde, said in a statement on Sunday that the recovery of birth control pills is an indication of sexual abuse suffered by female NPA members and recruits.
“It clearly manifests the ongoing and rampant sexual abuses among their ranks especially by NPA commanders against their female members,” he added.
Pasaporte reiterated his call on the female NPA combatants to abandon the armed struggle and go home to their respective families.
“Don’t let the NPA leaders take advantage of you. They are just making you their sex slaves,” he added.
On April 23, troops of 20IB also found boxes of birth control pills inside an NPA hideout in an upland village of Catubig, Northern Samar.
Also on October 22 last year, soldiers of 88IB recovered some contraceptive pills, condoms, and pornographic materials from another NPA hideout in the forested area of Barangay Kibongkog, San Fernando, Bukidnon.
Earlier this month, two pregnant NPA medics surrendered to the 23IB in Buenavista town, Agusan del Norte.
Plenty of pregnant NPA women rebels have surrendered but this is the first time an infant's corpse has been found.
Rebels continue to surrender.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237627 |
Three New People’s Army (NPA) members surrendered to the military in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on Monday, according to the Philippine Army.
Lt. Col. Mark Tabon, commander of the 29th Infantry Battalion, said in a statement Tuesday that the former rebels, identified only by their aliases “Desna,” “Daryl,” and “Joshua” operated under the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
The trio, who surrendered in Barangay Del Pilar, handed over two .45-caliber pistols, a 9mm Ingram machine pistol and ammunition.
“We welcome their surrender and assure them of the government’s support as they reunite with their families and communities,” Tabon said.
He urged them to encourage remaining NPA members to consider a peaceful return, emphasizing the hardships of life within the armed struggle and growing discontent with NEMRC leadership.
Tabon noted that disillusionment, coupled with ongoing government operations in the region, pushed the rebels to leave.
The three former fighters are currently undergoing assessments for enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which provides support for former rebels reintegrating into society.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/15/5-communist-rebels-surrender-1 |
Five New People’s Army (NPA) fighters have surrendered to the military in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.
Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division Public Affairs Office (4th ID-PAO) chief Lt. Col. Francisco P. Garello Jr. said the surrenderers belong to the Sub-regional Sentro de Grabidad Westland of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
“Tired of running in the mountains, hunger due to lack of logistical and food support, dwindling leadership, and longing to be with their respective families, especially the upcoming Christmas, are the main reasons they came down and back to the fold of the law,” Garello added.
The rebel returnees who yielded guns and ammunition turned themselves in to 29th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Mark Tabon and 30th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Albert Batinga in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.
“I encourage all remaining active CTG members to seize this opportunity to surrender in order to be with your families, and benefit from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), a government livelihood and cash assistance, in relation to the Marcos administration’s peace and development program,” Brig. Gen. Arsenio Sadural, commanding general of the Army 901st Infantry Brigade, said.
These guys are disillusioned which means they are not true believers in the cause.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/15/2-young-npa-rebels-from-capiz-surrender |
Two young New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the 12th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army in Tapaz town, Capiz province.
The Army identified them as 22-year-old John and 20-year-old Kate.
The two rebel returnees said they joined the now dismantled Central Front of the NPA when they were only 17-years-old.
With a team from the 12th IB, they visited Mayor Roberto Palomar of Tapaz.
The 12th IB is working closely with the Municipal Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) of Tapaz to ensure that John and Kate are integrated back into the community with the help of other government agencies.
“We will also facilitate their enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for them to avail of livelihood assistance, training, and other support to aid their transition to a peaceful and productive life,” said 12th IB chief Lt. Col. Vicel Jan Garsuta in a statement.
These two surrenderees are young. Perhaps they are an item. Either way they will now have the chance "to avail of livelihood assistance, training, and other support to aid their transition to a peaceful and productive life." Why not do it together?
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