Insurgency: Balut Production

The AFP has had some vicotries of late against the reminaing NPA rebels. However, that does not mean they will be resting on their laurels during election season. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1244304

Despite the successive successful operations of the military that brought severe losses to the New People’s Army (NPA) in the recent weeks, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it will not let its guard down to ensure that the communist insurgents will be unable to interfere in the 2025 midterm elections.  

“While the NPA’s numbers and influence have significantly dwindled, the AFP remains vigilant in ensuring that their remnants do not disrupt the peace, especially in the lead-up to the May 12 elections,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told the Philippine News Agency in an interview. 

Among those recently neutralized was Myrna Sularte alias “Maria Malaya”, the secretary of the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Sularte was killed in a clash with troopers of the 901st Infantry Brigade at Barangay Pianing, Butuan City on Feb. 12.  

Also neutralized by soldiers from the 3rd Special Forces Battalion on the same date were two ranking NPA commanders in Sitio Katipunan, Barangay San Lorenzo, Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur. 

They were identified as Larry Garcia alias “Joven”, commanding officer of the Regional Centro De Grabidad, NEMRC and his vice commander, who was only identified as “Gaga” and “Garing”.  

“Through intensified focused military operations, community engagements, and close coordination with other law enforcement agencies, we are committed to securing a peaceful and orderly electoral process,” Padilla said. 

She said the deaths of Sularte and other NPA leaders highlight the continuous setbacks suffered by the communist insurgents due to sustained military operations and the growing rejection of their violent ideology by local communities. 

“We urge the remaining members of the CTG (communist terrorist group) to lay down their arms, avail themselves of the government’s reintegration programs, and choose the path of peace. The AFP will continue working tirelessly to dismantle any remaining threats while upholding the rights and safety of the Filipino people,” Padilla added.

Did anyone expect them to not remain vigilant? They have been vigilant for the past 50 years. 

But what does one do when the NPA is running for office? 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2035524/party-list-rep-tagged-as-npa-recruiter-in-ntf-elcac-video

Human rights group Karapatan has criticized the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) for releasing a video that “Red-tagged” Kabataan party list Rep. Raoul Manuel.

“This vilification campaign is obviously aimed at misleading and terrorizing the electorate against voting for Kabataan party list,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said in a statement on Monday.

“Unfortunately, the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which promised to issue guidelines on Red-tagging, has not kept up with the spate of Red-tagging videos, tarpaulins and the like that have already been sprouting in many places,” she added.

The group was referring to a video posted on the Facebook page of the NTF-Elcac on Feb. 6, which tagged Manuel as a recruiter for the New People’s Army (NPA). It urged him to “stop pretending” and admit his links to the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The task force claimed that Manuel supported the withdrawal of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations from the NTF-Elcac because “once again, he thinks they are free to recruit [students] in schools.”

“The truth is, it is not the NTF-Elcac who is a threat to academic freedom, but you, Raoul Manuel. You are a recruiter of the NPA, and you can no longer lie [about this],” it said.

In response to the video, Karapatan urged the Comelec to issue guidelines against Red-tagging and act on the “many incidents” that had already been reported. It said that the task force uses Red-tagging to “sabotage the right of the electorate to hear from progressive and pro-people candidates and exercise discernment.”

What exactly is the NTF-ELCAC's proof that this guy is recruiter? Don't forget the AFP has repeatedly said the NPA is unable to do any recruiting. Maybe the NTF-ELCAC could send someone undercover to get the proof they need. 

As proof the AFP is not backing down this election season the Eastern Visayas has been reinforced with 52 new soldiers. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2036576/52-troops-join-army-in-eastern-visayas

Fifty-two newly trained soldiers, including one female, joined the Army in Eastern Visayas, which continues to grapple with insurgency problems.

The new soldiers completed a rigorous 45-day Infantry Orientation Training (INFOT) at Camp Eugenio Daza, Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan town, Samar.

The training, which began on Jan. 6 and ended on Feb. 19, prepared them for deployment to various battalions under the 8th Infantry Division (8th ID) to enhance operational readiness.

INFOT was designed to equip newly enlisted soldiers with the skills, knowledge, and discipline required to become effective members of an Infantry Squad and Fire Team.

The progressive course prepares them for various Army operations, including combat and peacekeeping missions.

In his message, Colonel Luzelito Betinol, assistant chief of staff for education and training, underscored the significance of the training, emphasizing that the new privates were not only prepared for combat but also for a mission vital to ensuring lasting peace and sustainable development in the region.

“We are in a crucial phase of our campaign to end the insurgency. Every action you take will help secure a better future for the people here, a future they truly deserve. The work ahead will not be easy, but the impact you make will resonate for generations,” said Betinol who represented 8th ID Commander Major General Adonis Ariel Orio.

He also challenged the new soldiers to uphold the values instilled in them during their training.

“You are fulfilling a responsibility much greater than yourselves, and we expect nothing less than your best. The people depend on you, and we, your fellow Stormtroopers, will stand with you in accomplishing this mission,” Betinol added.

The newly graduated privates will be deployed to the 13 battalions under the 8th ID, reinforcing its efforts to maintain security and stability in Eastern Visayas.

The Philippine Army in the region has vowed to eradicate insurgency in Eastern Visayas, particularly on Samar Island, before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.

The AFP is very confident they will eradicate the insurgency before Marcos leaves office. Of course the AFP has been very confident they would eradicate the insurgency before the end of every president's term for the past 50 years. 

Another arms cache has been discovered. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1244187

Army soldiers uncovered a weapons cache here believed to belong to the remnants of the dismantled Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Sierra Madre.

Acting on a tip from a former rebel, the 91st Infantry Battalion of the 7th Infantry Division launched a scouring operation in the mountainous village of Barangay Sawmill over the weekend, leading to the recovery of firearms and explosives.

Among the seized items were an M16 rifle, a .38 caliber pistol, a high-explosive hand grenade, spent bullet casings, live ammunition and magazines.

In a statement Sunday, the Army hailed the operation as a significant blow to the remaining elements of Komiteng Rehiyon Gitnang Luzon, reinforcing its commitment to dismantling insurgent groups and ensuring regional stability.

As this developed, the military reiterated its call for insurgents to surrender and avail of the government's offer of financial aid, livelihood support and reintegration assistance.

Without former rebels it seems the AFP might be operating in the dark. Thankfully more rebels are surrendering.  

https://mb.com.ph/2025/2/17/9-npa-rebels-surrender-in-northern-samar

Nine members of the New People's Army surrendered to the 19th Infantry Battalion based in Catubig, Northern Samar recently.

These communist rebels from the Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit (SRGU), Sub-Regional Committee Emporium said they decided to surrender due to severe hunger and loss of community support. 

They turned over an R4 rifle, two M16 rifles, two improvised M14 rifles, a carbine rifle, an anti-personnel mine, and two bandoliers.

Lt. Col. Marvin Maraggun, commander of the 19th IB, said their surrender highlights the dedication of security forces and local government units in ensuring peace and prosperity in Northern Samar. “We welcome them with open arms and stand ready to support their reintegration into society,” Maraggun said.

Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, said that the government is ready to help NPA rebels who want to live a peaceful life. 

He added that their goal is to reintegrate them into the community and show what the government has to offer — a better life and a peaceful environment. 

Orio commended the 19th IB for its dedicated efforts and successfully facilitating the reintegration of the rebels. 

The 19th IB is coordinating with local government units to provide immediate cash assistance and other benefits to surrenderers. 

They are also undergoing processing under the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). 

Debriefing, healing, and reconciliation sessions are being conducted to ensure their smooth reintegration into society.

In Silay City 3 rebels surrendered.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/2/17/3-npa-rebels-surrender-in-silay-city

Three New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the police in Barangay E. Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental.

They turned over a .38 caliber revolver, a .22 caliber revolver, two improvised 12-gauge shotgun with three shells, and two 40mm explosives.

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office said they were convinced to surrender through the Project Pag-Ulikid: Compassion with Action and Armas Baylo Bugas initiative of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (Nocpmfc).

They each received cash assistance, grocery items, and sack of rice and were released to their families following proper documentation.

Meanwhile, the provincial government recently turned over P2.3 million in financial and livelihood assistance to peace volunteers and former rebel associations in Negros Occidental.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson distributed  P342,000 in financial aid to 17 Sambayanan Negros volunteers from various towns and cities through the Provincial Planning and Development Office.

Ten National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict associations in the province also received livelihood projects worth P2 million through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).

Among these projects is the Itik Pinas Raising for Balut and Salted Egg project that aims to address the gap in the supply of "balut" (fertilized duck eggs) in the province and support the province's food sufficiency initiatives.

Recipients include 1,000 breeder ducks, 10 incubators with a 250-egg capacity, and 127 bags of duck feed (50-kilos per bag).

Lacson said that the demand for balut in the province is one million per month, but with the bird flu scare, which disallowed the importation from Luzon, supply went down to 200,000 to 300,000 a month.

“We are hoping that by initially supplying incubators, we can fill in the gap of 700,000 to 750,000 balut per month,” he added.

Not only did three rebels surrender but money has been put aside by the government of Negros Occidental to train former rebels to to make balut!

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1244136

The Negros Occidental provincial government on Friday awarded PHP2 million worth of support package for balut (fertilized duck egg) production to former rebel group chapters and farmers associations across the province.

Ten beneficiaries were identified under the Itik-Pinas Raising for Balut and Salted Egg Project implemented by the Provincial Veterinary Office for the Animal and Poultry Dispersal for Priority Areas with funding from the 2024 Peace and Order Fund.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who led the project turnover at the capitol grounds here, said the province needs to fill the gap in its balut supply of about 700,000 pieces a month.

“Before the bird flu scare, we imported from other provinces. Right now, we do not allow it, that’s why we lack balut supply,” he added.

Negros Occidental’s balut requirement is almost one million pieces a month, but the province produces only about 250,000 pieces.

The project recipients include the Kapatiran San Carlos City Chapter, Kapatiran Para Sa Progresong Panlipunan Cadiz City Chapter, Kapatiran Locotan Chapter in Kabankalan City, and Kapatiran Talacdan Chapter in Cauayan town.

Kapatiran is the new name of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido Ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade Tabara-Paduano Group in line with its institutional transformation after entering into a peace agreement with the national government.

Other recipients were the Madaha Handweavers Association and Cunalom, Maliko-liko, Lunou Farmers Association in Himamaylan City; Camingawan Diversified Workers Association in Kabankalan City; Mambaroto Organic Farmers Association in Sipalay City; Inayawan Itik Farm Association in Cauayan; and Canlubang Farmers Cluster Association in Ilog.

The Itik-Pinas Project comprises 1,000 heads of duckling, 10 incubator units with 250-egg capacity and 127 bags of duck feeds.

Each beneficiary has an allocation of 100 heads of breeder duck, one unit of incubator and 12 bags of duck feeds.

Meanwhile, Lacson, in the presence of Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, turned over PHP342,000 in financial assistance to peace and development community volunteers from the Sentrong Alyansa ng Mamamayan Para sa Bayan (Sambayanan) Negros

Sambayanan is an organization composed of former rebels which advocates peace and development programs.

Under the province’s “Balik Salig Program,” the 21 volunteers pursue various undertakings in their communities with the assistance of the Philippine Army and the Provincial Planning and Development Office.

That's a lot of balut!!!