The AFP has released another update about how many NPA fighters have been neutralized since the beginning of the year. But why? The last update was only a few weeks ago. What has changed?
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252299 |
A total of 871 New People's Army (NPA) insurgents and their supporters were "neutralized" by government troops from Jan. 1 to June 12, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Tuesday.
Of this figure, 776 have surrendered, 44 were arrested and 51 killed in various military operations, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a media briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Neutralized in military parlance refers to the capture, elimination and surrender of enemy troops to government pressure. For the same period, a total of 490 firearms and 257 anti-personnel mines (APMs) were either seized or surrendered.
Padilla also said 80 NPA encampments were also captured by military forces in the same period.
"The numbers do not lie and neither does our resolve. With hundreds neutralized, and dozens of camps dismantled, the enemies' grip is loosening because our presence is tightening," she added.
For the same period, a total of 112 local terrorist group (LTG) members and supporters were neutralized, of which 103 surrendered, two were apprehended, and seven killed in military operations.
Meanwhile, a total of 123 LTG firearms and five APMs were either seized or captured along with five encampments at the same time.
While they do not break the numbers down and reveal how many actual NPA fighters have been neutralized or give a number on how many remain they do give one interesting number. 80 encampments have been destroyed since January, 2025. That would appear the NPA is still strong. How many encampments are left? It's a shame the AFP is not more transparent.
The NTF-ELCAC says they are reaping big gains.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252475 |
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday said the national government’s peace and development efforts are now paying off with the completion of 5,455 barangay infrastructure projects and the reintegration of 1,690 former rebels into peaceful civilian life.
In a statement, the anti-insurgency body said these milestones are a "double victory" as previously underserved communities are finally receiving essential development, while former combatants are embracing a future free from armed violence.
The NTF-ELCAC added that these positive developments are clear proof that the government's whole-of-nation approach in combating insurgency is working.
As of June 13, a total of 5,455 out of 6,045 projects under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) for fiscal years 2021–2024 have been completed, reflecting a 90.2 percent completion rate.
These projects include farm-to-market roads, potable water systems, school buildings, health stations, and rural electrification—basic services that directly address the root causes of insurgency.
“This is not just about building infrastructure; this is about delivering justice,” NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said.
He added that every completed project is a promise fulfilled, which prevents Filipinos from turning to armed resistance.
Meanwhile, under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), 1,690 former rebels—comprising 1,037 ex-New People’s Army (NPA) members and 653 "Militia ng Bayan" members —have received government assistance as of April 30, 2025.
Support includes housing, livelihood training, firearms remuneration, and reintegration services tailored to each beneficiary’s needs.
“Reintegration is a cornerstone of sustainable peace. Through E-CLIP, we help our fellow Filipinos reclaim their dignity, reconnect with their communities, and reject the lies of violent extremism,” Torres emphasized.
The BDP, a flagship initiative of the NTF-ELCAC, provides funding support to each cleared barangay previously affected by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
Torres said these funds empower local governments to implement programs that directly uplift communities long neglected by conflict.
The NTF-ELCAC also assures the public that it remains fully committed to completing the remaining projects and ensuring that all qualified former rebels receive the necessary support.
“Peace is a shared responsibility. Every road paved, every school built, and every life restored brings us closer to our goal of a truly peaceful and developed Philippines,” Torres said.
This is actually a pathetic story. If only the government had been developing the nation since independence in 1946 then there would be no insurgency. As it is good governance has become a counter-insurgency program. Basic services, their words, should have always been provided to every community. Since they call building basic infrastructure "delivering justice," it's only proper to say the denial of those services for so many years was injustice.
The AFP has been calling for the remaining NPA to surrender saying they do not want to kill them. Yet with the death of a top leader the AFP says justice has been delivered.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252477 |
The death of a New People’s Army leader and two others tagged as suspects in the murder of civilians in Leyte have given justice to the victims, a Philippine Army official said Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, lauded the successful combat operation of the troops of the 93rd Infantry Battalion on June 18 that led to the death of Juanito Sellesa Jr., alias Tibor, an executive committee member of Island Committee Levox of the NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
Also killed during the clashes between government troopers and the rebels in Cogon village, Carigara, Leyte on the same day were Eugene Paclita, alias Dimple, and Lito Laurente, alias Dodong, respectively the leader and member of Squad 2 of the NPA unit.
"The neutralization of these three, especially alias Tibor, served as justice for the family of Jesus Sarcilla, who was mercilessly killed as witnessed by the victim’s daughter. Although he briefly escaped the law and avoided facing justice that the family and children of his victim have been crying out for, our relentless operation led to his death,” Vestuir said.
Sellesa and his group have been tagged as suspects in the murder of Sarcilla on Dec. 7, 2021 in upland Binibihan village in Carigara, Leyte.
Sarcilla was killed in front of his daughter despite the goodwill extended by the victim to rebels by providing them with food and shelter, according to the military.
Apart from murder cases filed at the Regional Trial Court, Sellesa’s group is also facing charges of violating the International Humanitarian Law at Branch 48, Regional Prosecution Office of the Commission on Human Rights’ Eastern Visayas regional office.
After the clash, soldiers recovered from the rebel’s temporary hideout an M16 rifle with two long magazines, a .45 caliber pistol with two magazines, a hand grenade, personal belongings, and subversive documents.
“Our ultimatum for them to abandon the armed struggle is still in effect until the end of the month. That is why we are urging them to never miss this opportunity to be with their families and avail themselves of the programs of the government. But if they will continue to pursue the path of bloody revolution, then they should be prepared to suffer the same bloody end with their comrades in Carigara, Leyte,” Vestuir added.
He again urged the remnants of the NPA to heed the call of their former comrades, families, friends, relatives, and loved ones to abandon the armed struggle and grab the opportunity extended by the government.
How is this person's killing justice while so many NPA fighters who committed egregious crimes are allowed to apply for amnesty? Would that be injustice?
A female NPA medic has ben busted.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252488 |
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a female medical officer of the New People’s Army (NPA), who is facing a string of charges in the province of Surigao del Norte.
In a statement on Thursday, the CIDG said the suspect "Jane" was nabbed in an operation by its members in Barangay Bunyasan in Malimono town on June 16.
The suspect is wanted by Surigao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branches 29 and 30 for two counts of attempted murder, violation of Republic Act (RA) 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020) and RA 9851 (Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity), murder, and arson.
These charges are linked to ambushes and gun attacks against soldiers and civilians in several areas in Mindanao in 2022.
The CIDG said “Jane” was the platoon medic of Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRC Northland) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA and is tagged as the No. 1 regional most wanted person in the Caraga region.
Among the attacks carried out by the group of “Jane,” according to CIDG, were the ambush on soldiers in Malimono, Surigao del Norte in 2022 and the burning of a dump truck and payloader after its owner allegedly refused to pay revolutionary tax.
Since she is wanted for serious crimes it is unlikely she will be eligible for amnesty or E-CLIP benefits.
The same cannot be said for 4 NPA members who surrendered in Bicol.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252396 |
Four members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities during operations in the provinces of Masbate, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon on Tuesday.
In a statement Wednesday, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) said an alias "Jay-Jay," affiliated with Sub-Regional Committee 4 (SRC4) of the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) under the command of Dindo Monsanto, surrendered in Cataingan, Masbate.
He handed over a caliber .38 revolver with a defaced serial number and three live rounds.
Alias “Rob” surrendered in San Jacinto, Masbate. He is connected to the Milisyang Bayan, Milisyang Bayan, Larangan 4, Platoon 2, Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG) North, SRC4, BRPC, under the command of Eliseo Cabarles, also known as "Ka Kiko.”
In Sipocot, Camarines Sur, a member identified as "Jane," who is part of Platoon 3, SRC5, BRPC, surrendered to 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company personnel. She turned over a caliber .45 STI pistol with one magazine and seven rounds of live ammunition.
Meanwhile, in Sorsogon, alias "Nilo," who is part of the Sandataang Yunit Propaganda (SYP) under Larangan Guerilla II, surrendered, turning over a caliber .38 revolver with a defaced serial number and a live round.
PRO-5 said all four former rebels are currently undergoing debriefing and profiling and would be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
PRO-5 Director, Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon, urged remaining insurgents to abandon the armed struggle and return to the fold of the law.
“The doors of peace are always open. We urge those still engaged in armed conflict to follow the example of those who surrendered, choose life, choose peace, and return to your families. The government is ready to help," he said.
"This program of the government offers livelihood assistance, skills training, and psychosocial support to help former insurgents transition to a peaceful and productive civilian life."
"The doors of peace are always open" yet the killing of a top leader is justice.
A top NPA leader was apprehended in Agusan Sur.
A top leader of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested by combined forces of the military and the police in the villages of Bunawan Brooke and San Teodoro in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur on Friday.In a statement on Saturday, the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) identified the arrested NPA leader as Charisse Bernadine Bañez, alias Nikki, the Secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) of the NPA.Also arrested were Ronnie Igloria, alias Gideon, a vice commanding officer; Louvaine Erika Espina, alias Pam, the unit’s medic; Sinag Lugsi, alias Jomilyn; Larry Montero, alias Laloy; Daryl Man-Inday, alias Tonton; Arjie Guino Dadizon, alias Ronron; and Grace Niknik Man-aning, alias Jelyn.“This apprehension marks a decisive victory against the remaining elements of the SMRC,” 10ID commander Maj. Gen. Allan Hambala said.Hambala also recognized the swift coordination between the Army and the regional police resulting in the successful law enforcement operation.“The arrests also reflected the unwavering dedication of our troops and our partners in the Philippine National Police to safeguard the peace we have established in our communities,” he said.The result of the joint operation also delivered a significant blow to the SMRC, disrupting its capacity to carry out further threats within the division’s area of responsibility, which covers parts of the Davao and Caraga regions, he added.The 10ID said two other SMRC leaders were neutralized by 10ID troops in the past two months.They were Elbert Echavez, alias Aldrin, the head of the Regional Sentro De Grabidad Jaguar of SMRC, who was killed in an encounter in Boston, Davao Oriental on April 27; and his vice team leader, Jeffry Casal, alias Lalai, who was killed in a skirmish in Lingig, Surigao del Sur on May 10.
It's another "decisive victory" in a long line of decisive victories. Meanwhile, the NPA plods along causing grief to so many.
Another NPA leader was killed in Leyte during an encounter with the AFP.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/18/npa-leader-killed-in-leyte-clash |
A New People’s Army leader and two others were killed in an encounter with soldiers in Barangay Cogon, Carigara, Leyte, on Wednesday, June 18.
The casualties were identified as Juanito Sellesa Jr., alias Tibor, an executive member of the Island Committee (IC) Levox Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC); Eugene Paclita, leader of Squad 2, IC Levox, and Lito Delante, a member of Squad 2, IC Levox.
Troops of the 93rd Infantry “Bantay Kapayapaan” Battalion recovered an M16 rifle with two long magazines, one caliber .45 pistol with two magazines, one hand grenade, personal belongings, and subversive documents in the encounter site.
Sellesa and his group were wanted for the murder of civilian Jesus Sarcilla in Barangay Binibihan, Carigara, on Dec. 7, 2021.
Sarcilla was killed in front of his daughter despite having offered food and shelter to the communist rebels.
A case has been filed against Sellesa's group for violating International Humanitarian Law before the Commission on Human Rights-Region 8.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, lauded the successful operation that gave justice to the death of Sarcilla.
Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander, 8th Infantry Division, condemned NPA atrocities and urged the people to remain firm in their support for the government.
Remember when the AFP said the NPA was leaderless? Yet leaders continue to fall.
Arms caches continue to be discovered. One was found in South Cotabato.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252260 |
Government forces discovered high-powered firearms buried by communist rebels in a shallow pit in Tboli, South Cotabato, on Sunday afternoon, a military official reported Monday.
Lt. Col. Christopherson Capuyan, commander of the Philippine Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB), said the firearms belonged to the communist New People’s Army (NPA) Regional Sentro de Grabidad-Far South Mindanao Region. Soldiers located the cache in Sitios Ellaw and Basag of Barangay Laconon.
The firearms, comprising three M16 rifles, were pinpointed by former NPA rebels who had earlier surrendered to the military.
"This discovery of an arms cache is proof of the dedication of our troops and the effectiveness of our intelligence operations," Capuyan said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, said in a separate statement that every firearm taken out of the hands of communist rebels is a step closer to lasting peace and security for communities in the area.
He urged the people to continue supporting the government’s campaign against the NPA, who prefer to use violence rather than peacefully laying down their guns and rejoining the mainstream.
“Rest assured that your military will continue to perform its mandate of protecting the people and securing the communities,” he said.
Another was discovered in Capiz.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/18/army-recovers-npa-stash-in-capiz |
The 12th Infantry Battalion, with the 62nd Special Action Company of the 6th Special Action Battalion (SAB), recently recovered a firearm and ammunition in an abandoned camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Naatip, Barangay Lahug, Tapaz town, Capiz province.
Troops also found flags of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), backpacks, hammock, medical paraphernalia, and personal items.
The hierarchy of the 3rd Infantry Division thanked residents for reporting these items.
“Relentless military operations and the vigilance of the Tapaznons have kept them (NPA) on the run, abandoning the war items they can no longer carry,” said Major Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the 3rd ID.
“We remain fully committed to neutralizing the remaining NPAs and achieve their complete downfall – a crucial step toward lasting peace and progress in Tapaz and across Western Visayas,” added Samson in a statement on Wednesday, June 18.
Surely there are many more arms caches buried around the country.
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