Insurgency: Unity Roads

More leaders of the leaderless NPA have been killed in a clash with the AFP. This time in Bukidnon. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/107053/2-alleged-npa-leaders-killed-in-bukidnon-clash/story/

Two alleged top leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon.

Troops of the 403rd Infantry Brigade were conducting focused military operation when they engaged the communist rebels, which resulted in the death of two rebel leaders who operated in Bukidnon and Caraga.

A video captured by a netizen showed a helicopter allegedly loading dead bodies.

“Unfortunately, two CTG key leaders died during that encounter ito po ay si Alyas Gali and another one is Alyas Joel,” 4th Infantry Division (4ID) Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Francisco Garello, said.

The military added that the operation was related to the continuing pursuit against the rebel group encountered by the government forces in Barangay Silae on March 5, 2025.

The FA-50 fighter jet of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) was providing air support to ground troops in that operation before it crashed in Mt. Kalatungan.

Recovered from the clash site were four high-powered firearms and other war materials.

“Nandiyan pa si Reda meron pa mga small leaders. We are expecting influx of surrenderers in the coming days or weeks we are reiterating our call,” Garello added.

Why do they say these deaths are unfortunate? Don't they want to see the demise of the NPA? Interesting that the crashed FA-50 jet was providing air support against the NPA before it crashed. 

Once again good governance is being touted as a counterinsurgency program. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1245794

The Joint Task Force Region 8 – End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JTF8-ELCAC) has approved a resolution endorsing to the Regional Development Council 8 (Eastern Visayas) the proposed PHP11.19 billion unity roads to enhance connectivity in the boundaries of Samar Island.

Samar’s provincial government reported on Tuesday that among the approved projects are the Matuguinao-Silvino Lobos Road, Matuguinao-Las Navas Road, Calbayog-Bobon Road, San Jose de Buan-Maslog Road, San Jose de Buan-Las Navas Road, and Calbiga-Borongan Road.

These proposed unity roads, with a total length of 181.17 km., are designed to enhance access among the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.

JTF8-ELCAC members endorsed these projects during their meeting on March 6 with Education Secretary Edgardo Angara, the JTF8-ELCAC chair and Cabinet Officer for the Regional Development and Security 8.

“These unity road projects underscore the importance of road interconnectivity, linking three provinces and reaching geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Expanding road networks ensures efficient delivery of health services and social programs and curbs insurgency by addressing poverty and other social issues,” Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan said in a statement.

Governors in Samar Island have been pushing for funding of key road projects within the tri-boundaries, which have been identified as hiding places of remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army reported strengthened collaboration among the military, police, local government units, and other stakeholders leading to successful initiatives, such as the dismantling of guerrilla fronts, the disruption of illegal activities, and an improved security environment in the region.

Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, noted that since 2019, the Army-led JTF Storm has recorded 461 combat engagements with NPA fighters and 791 neutralized communist terrorists.

The campaign also led to the seizure of 1,124 firearms, the recovery of 703 banned anti-personnel mines, and the discovery of 620 hideouts.

Orio cited the importance of continued collaboration and coordination among various sectors to achieve lasting peace.

These road should have been built a long time ago. Sad that it has taken so long for good governance to reach Samar. 

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año says the government is committed to stopping the NPA's efforts to destabilize the government. This is despite the AFP saying they are leaderless and no longer able to do such a thing.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1245982

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Thursday maintained that the government is committed to neutralizing the country's insurgency amid attempts by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) “to exploit the situation to further their agenda of destabilization and violence."

Without identifying the specific situation the communist insurgents are attempting to exploit, Año added that he finds the CPP-NPA-NDF’s efforts to undermine the country's democratic government and impose a communist regime “disheartening.”

"I want to assure you that despite this situation, we remain unwavering in our commitment to serve the people and to combat insurgency. We understand the sacrifices that all peace-loving Filipinos have made in the pursuit of peace and development," Año, who is also vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, said in a statement.

He noted that the country has made great strides in eliminating the insurgency threat, saying it is now the "collective responsibility" of the government to safeguard the progress it has achieved.

"As we move forward, let us stand united in our resolve. Together, we will not only confront these threats but also build a brighter future for our country. Our dedication to peace and development will not waver, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the gains we have made are sustained for generations to come," Año said.

"Let us remain focused and continue to work hand in hand for a peaceful and prosperous Philippines. Together, we shall prevail." 

It's funny that online vloggers who make videos referring to vague unsaid threats are being probed by the police but the head of the NSA can make reference to vague unsaid threats with no problem. How exactly is the NPA attempting to destabilize the country when the AFP has said they are leaderless and unable to do any such thing? 

Meanwhile in the south 21 Muslim insurgents have surrendered. Five are from Dawalah Islamiya.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1245883

Five fighters of the extremist Dawlah Islamiya (DI) group surrendered to military authorities in Maguindanao del Sur, an Army official said Wednesday.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 601st Brigade (601Bde), said the group surrendered at the brigade’s headquarters in Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan town on Tuesday afternoon

Lt. Col. Loqui Marco, commander of the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion (90IB), presented the surrenderers to Catu during the ceremony. They are Humidi Salipudin, Jonathan Kamsa, Durham Angas, Nurhan Sabptulah, and Salahuddin Saptula, all members of the DI-Hassan Group operating in the province.

“The group also yielded five high-powered firearms,” Catu said.

Upon their surrender, the provincial government provided them with cash, rice assistance, and agricultural inputs for farming.

Catu commended the provincial government, the BARMM’s Ministry of Public Order and Safety, the Bangsamoro agriculture office, and other stakeholders for supporting the military’s disarmament program.

“I also salute the 90IB for the successful implementation of the Mobile Community Support Sustainment Program that led to the extremists’ surrender,” he said.

Since January, about 100 armed rebels have surrendered to the 90IB and other field units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) in Central Mindanao. The 6ID’s area of responsibility includes Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and parts of Sarangani and North Cotabato.

And 16 are from the BIFF.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1246102

Sixteen members of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have yielded and pledged allegiance to the Philippine flag during simple surrender rites held at an Army battalion headquarters in Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, on Friday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Al Victor Burkley, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion based in Datu Piang town, presented the BIFF surrenderers to Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade.

“Local officials of Datu Piang helped in the negotiation and processing of the former extremist combatants to laying down of their firearms and their reintegration process back to the mainstream,” Burkley said in a statement Saturday.

He said 12 of the extremists were operating in Datu Salibo town, three in Datu Saudi Ampatuan municipality, and one in Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

They also surrendered 16 high-powered firearms.

As part of the surrender package, the 16 surrenderers received cash, bags of rice, and agricultural equipment from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government.

“I would like to commend the military, police, and the local government units for supporting our efforts to clear communities of loose firearms as a requirement in establishing peaceful communities,” Catu said in a separate statement Saturday.

Since Jan. 1, more than 600 assorted firearms have been collected by the 6th Infantry Division during law enforcement operations in Central Mindanao.

Both the Communist and Islamic insurgencies are on the way out.