Insurgency: Marawi Siege 8 Years After

The AFP says 585 terrorists and their supporters have been neutralized since the beginning of the year. As ever with these numbers they are not broken down into exact categories. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2064088/afp-585-alleged-terrorists-supporters-neutralized-since-january-2025

A total of 585 alleged terrorist group members and supporters were “neutralized” from January 1 to May 22, 2025.

This was according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla in a Camp Aguinaldo briefing on Tuesday.

The total included 491 alleged communist terrorist group (CTG) members and supporters, of which 407 surrendered, 41 were apprehended by authorities and 43 were killed in military operations, Padilla detailed.

Operations against CTGs also yielded 332 firearms, 233 anti-personnel mines, and the seizure of 68 encampments, according to the AFP.

The other 94 alleged terrorists and their supporters neutralized were from local groups.

Of this number, 85 surrendered, two were apprehended and seven were killed in military operations, Padilla explained.

Operations against local terrorist groups led to the confiscation of 105 firearms and five anti-personnel mines as well as the seizure of five encampments.

491 communist terrorist groups members and supporters were neutralized but how many were actual NPA fighters? How many were merely providing material support? Those numbers are crucial to get an estimate on how many NPA fighters are left. At last count in January 2024 approximately 1,500 remained.

The National Amnesty Commission says 2,772 reformer rebels have applied for amnesty. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/24/nac-processes-2772-amnesty-applications-from-ex-rebels

A total of 2,772 former rebels from different parts of the country have filed amnesty applications with the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) through the local amnesty boards (LABs), government data showed Friday, May 23.

The NAC reported that 1,858 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) applied for amnesty to have their criminal liabilities for past political offenses removed, making them the largest group of applicants.

Meanwhile, 545 ex-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and 303 ex-Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters also submitted their applications. 

Sixty-six former members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) also submitted amnesty applications as part of their efforts to start their lives anew.

The LAB in Catbalogan City in Samar province registered the highest number of applicants with 378, followed by the LAB-National Capital Region (NCR) with 282; LAB-Bacolod with 262; and LAB-Pagadian with 243.

The LAB-Basilan also logged 241 applications; LAB-Cotabato with 240; LAB-Davao with 236; and LAB-Iloilo with 218.

The NAC started accepting amnesty applications on March 4, 2024 after Congress concurred with President Marcos Jr.’s Proclamation Nos. 403, 405, and 406 which granted amnesty to members of RPMP-RPA-ABB, MILF, and MNLF respectively. Meanwhile, Proclamation No. 404 which grants amnesty to members of CPP-NPA-NDF was concurred on March 13, 2024.

Applicants have two years to file their applications with the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) near their area. 

Former members of the RPMP-RPA-ABB, MILF, and MNLF may file their application until March 4, 2026, while former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF or their front organizations may file their application until March 13, 2026.

To encourage more former rebels to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law by availing of the government’s amnesty program, the LAB in Butuan organized its first amnesty program forum last Thursday.

The forum highlighted the importance of collaboration and community involvement in promoting and sustaining peace.

Agusan del Norte Governor Ma. Angel Rosedell M. Amante-Matba, who was among the participants in the said activity, expressed the local government’s intent to bring the amnesty program’s goals to fruition.

“What I want to happen [is] that we will be able to deliver the commitment of the government because we ask them (former rebels) to come back to government,” the governor said. “We want a LAB that is optimally functioning so they (former rebels) can go back to having normal lives.”

Amante-Matba committed her full support to the amnesty program by accepting to chair the LAB, and providing office space, office equipment, and when necessary, additional manpower and other support.

This number includes ex-MILF, MNLF, and NPA fighters. 2,772 seems pretty low when all these groups used to have tens of thousands of members. Maybe some are afraid to apply or perhaps they are unaware of the amnesty offer and what it means. 

89 ex-NPA rebels surrendered in Davao del Norte. 

https://www.brigadanews.ph/89-ex-npa-rebels-surrender-in-davao-hand-over-guns-get-₱1-1m-livelihood-aid/

A total of 89 former rebels from dismantled New People’s Army (NPA) units surrendered to the 56th Infantry Battalion under the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army during a ceremony on May 28 in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

The event was held at the Balimba Hills Activity Center in Barangay Sto. Niño, where the former rebels formally turned over 19 firearms and one improvised explosive device to the military and local government units.

To aid in their transition back into society, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region XI awarded a ₱1.1 million livelihood package through its Integrated Livelihood Program. The Ata-Manobo Former Rebels Association received corn shellers worth ₱300,000, while two other people’s organizations—Salawao Developmental Workers Association and Tatag IP Parents-Scholars Association—each received ₱400,000 worth of bakery equipment.

Major General Allan Hambala, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, welcomed the surrender and emphasized the government’s ongoing support for former rebels.

“This collective return to the folds of the law is a clear manifestation that the people have grown tired of the false promises of the communist terrorist group,” Hambala said.

He added that the government and its partner agencies remain committed to helping former rebels start anew and live peaceful lives.

It sounds good but there are a lot of details missing. How long had they been former rebels? Is this a surrender after the fact of leaving the NPA? There is nothing in this article about NTF-ELCAC benefits but they will sure be receiving lots of free money and housing. Surrendering does not mean they have been granted amnesty. They must apply for that. Their journey is not over yet. 

In Bicol one rebel was killed during an encounter and 5 others surrendered. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1250885

The 9th Infantry Division (9ID) reported on Tuesday that a combatant of the New People's Army (NPA) has been killed, and five others have surrendered to government troops in separate incidents across the Bicol Region.

Maj. Frank Roldan, 9ID spokesperson, said the rebel was killed after a 10-minute firefight with government troops in Barangay Salvacion, Garchitorena, Camarines Sur on Monday.

Roldan said that after the encounter, soldiers recovered an M16 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, explosives, including seven anti-personnel mines, equipment for making improvised explosive devices, ammunition, and personal belongings from the rebels.

"No casualties or injuries were reported on the military side, while the identity of the slain rebel is still being determined," the report said.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Randolph Cabangbang, acting division commander of the 9ID, condemned the continued presence and violence of the NPA in the area, describing it as a source of fear for the local community.

He also emphasized that the production and use of anti-personnel mines violate the International Humanitarian Law.

The 9ID reiterated its call for remaining NPA rebels to surrender to the government to avoid further loss of life.

Meanwhile, five NPA members surrendered in Camarines Sur on Sunday.

Roldan reported that the former rebels belonged to Platoon 3, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Bicol Regional Party Committee, known by their aliases Vincent, Joshua, Odet, Vangie, and Daisy, identified as the group’s medical officer.

He noted that the lack of direction in their movement was the main reason for their voluntary surrender to the government at the 9th Infantry Sandigan Battalion headquarters in Libmanan town.

Cabangbang thanked the five former rebels for their positive response to his call for reintegration.

He encouraged them to convince other former comrades to abandon the armed movement, stressing that they should not end up like their colleagues who lost their lives in the recent encounter.

In Milagros, Masbate province, five high-powered firearms were seized by the 2nd Infantry Battalion from NPA members of Platoon 2, Guerrilla South Field Committee, after an encounter with troops, also on Sunday.

Roldan said authorities received information regarding the presence of the armed group, prompting troops to conduct a combat operation that resulted in an almost 15-minute exchange of gunfire in Barangay San Carlos.

Five firearms, including an M4 rifle, an R4 rifle, an M653, and two M14 rifles, were left at the scene of the encounter, with magazines, bandoleers, hammocks, radios, and other equipment belonging to the rebels also seized.

These 5 rebels are in the same situation as the 89 from Davao. They now need to apply for amnesty. 

It is now 8 years after the Marawi siege and the path to peace remains fragile. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/23/marawi-siege-8-years-after-path-to-lasting-peace-remains-fragile-group-says

Unresolved issues in Marawi City—eight years after the deadly siege—remain significant obstacles that hinder both the government and residents from attaining lasting peace in the southern Philippines, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

“It is disheartening to see so many families – around 8,200 people – living for eight years in inadequate conditions in shelters that were supposed to be temporary. They are now paying rent and yet have irregular access to clean water, adding immense strain to their daily lives,” Johannes Bruwer, head of the Manila delegation of the ICRC, said in a statement.

The organization noted that residents are still dealing with long-term displacement, insufficient government assistance, and the absence of answers for families whose loved ones have been missing since the siege.

Marawi City came under siege on May 23, 2017 from violent extremist groups led by the Maute terrorist group and Abu Sayyaf Group, and those aligned with local and regional affiliates of the Islamic State (ISIS).

An urban battle between the extremists and government forces raged for five months, killing over 900 militants, 168 government troops, and 87 civilians, and displacing 1.1 million civilians. The siege concluded on Oct. 23, 2017 – days after the death of Maute Group leader Omar Maute and ASG head Isnilon Hapilon.

Since then, the national government made significant efforts in trying to bring back normalcy in Marawi, including the construction of public infrastructure in the most affected area (MAA) and the creation of the Marawi Compensation Board. 

But the ICRC said that rebuilding the victims’ homes remains a “distant dream” for some families who claim that the compensation they received “is not enough,” and for those who are burdened by the documentation required to receive their payouts.

“Eight years is a long time; people have been displaced for far too long. For the residents, returning to their neighborhoods is a step toward normalcy and a necessary part of their healing. Ensuring their full recovery is not only a humanitarian imperative but also key to lasting peace,” Bruwer said.

Apart from the emotional burden, the organization pointed out that families have consistently expressed concern over the challenging process of securing legal documents to certify the absence or presumed death of their missing loved ones.

The ICRC urged the national, regional, and local governments – especially its newly elected officials – to work together to hasten the rebuilding of the most affected area while ensuring that basic services are provided to people in transitional shelters.

The ICRC has advocated for people whose lives were upended by the Marawi conflict, including the families of the missing since 2017. The ICRC said it has assisted more than 400 families of missing people by providing mental health and psychosocial support and through livelihood initiatives from 2017 to 2024.

It added that it has been supporting the Philippine National Police-Forensic Group with technical advice, capacity-building, and material support toward the identification of remains in the Maqbara and Dalipuga cemeteries.

“We urge the Philippine authorities to provide answers as soon as possible to the families who have been patiently waiting. The authorities need to take the necessary steps to clarify the fate and whereabouts of the missing, as well as identify the remains that have been found. By doing so, the government will help the families move toward healing and trust-building,” Bruwer said.

“Beyond just remembering the missing people of Marawi, let us realize their families’ shared hope for more support and for closure, so that they can move forward with peace in their hearts.”

If these people really want closure then the Senate must conduct a full investigation into the Marawi siege in much the same way the USA formed a 9/11 commission. The answers as to why the siege happened and how to prevent it from happening again must be found. The foreknowledge of the event which was admitted to by various government officials must also be investigated. Who knew what and when did they know it? But it's been eight years and sadly the government does not care.