Insurgency: Army Engineering

The AFP has given more numbers on the amount of NPA rebels neutralized so far in 2025.  This time the region is specific. It's the Eastern Visayas. 17 have been killed, one captured, and 27 have surrendered. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/14/45-communist-rebels-neutralized-54-guns-seized

The 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division of the Philippine Army reported that 45 members of the New People’s Army were neutralized and 54 firearms were seized during intensified military operations from January to June in Eastern Visayas. 

Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the Joint Task Force Storm and the 8th ID, said 17 were killed in encounters, one captured, and 27 voluntarily surrendered. 

Twenty-one firearms were recovered during encounters and 33 were voluntarily surrendered.

The 8th ID said it indicates the declining morale and dwindling strength of insurgents. 

Orio said that these accomplishments were the result of relentless military efforts and the active cooperation of local communities. 

“The timely information and continued support of the civilians have been vital in weakening the enemy’s operational capacity,” Orio said. 

He added that recent gains are not only tactical victories but also clear indicators of the NPA’s declining influence in the region. 

“We are closing in on our goal of achieving genuine and lasting peace in Eastern Visayas. Rest assured your Army will not relent. We will sustain our focused military operations while also supporting efforts that promote good governance and socio-economic development.”

Relentless military efforts and the cooperation of local communities have made this possible. There is no breakdown between rebels and supporters. 54 guns have also been siezed. 

In Capiz the AFP has found another arms cache due to a tip from a former rebel.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/troops-recover-npa-arms-cache-in-tapaz-capiz-after-tip-from-former-rebel

TROOPS from the 12th Infantry (Lick 'Em) Battalion (12IB) based in Calinog, Iloilo recovered a cache of firearms and explosives belonging to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) or New People's Army (NPA) during a focused military operation in Barangay Tacayan, Tapaz, Capiz July 15, 2025.

The discovery was made following a tip from a former rebel, highlighting the ongoing cooperation between former insurgents and government forces in combatting local terrorism in Western Visayas.

Recovered from the site were one M16 rifle, three short steel magazines, several rounds of ammunition, two rifle grenades, one anti-personnel mine (APM) detonator, three blasting caps, 50 meters of wire, a holster, and one defective caliber .38 pistol.

This was the second successful arms cache recovery by the 12IB in Tapaz in less than a month. On June 16, 2025, troops recovered another CTG cache in Sitio Naatip, Barangay Lahug, also in Tapaz. The cache included another M16 rifle and various war materials.

Major General Michael G. Samson, commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID), lauded the 12IB for its persistent anti-insurgency operations, noting that the efforts were key to weakening the armed capabilities of the CTG in Panay Island.

“I commend the 12th Infantry Battalion for their unwavering commitment and decisive actions that led to the discovery of multiple CTG arms caches in Tapaz. These persistent operations are part of the 3ID’s sustained efforts to completely eradicate the remnants of the Communist Terrorist Group in Panay," he said.

Samson said the campaign will be relentless until the group cannot regroup or resurface, targeting their remaining manpower and armed capabilities, leaving them with only one option: to abandon armed struggle and return to law.

He also called on residents of Tapaz in Capiz and other parts of Western Visayas to remain vigilant and continue supporting the government by reporting the presence of CTG members and their assets.

The Philippine Army reiterated its invitation to remaining CTG members to surrender peacefully and avail themselves of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip), which provides assistance for their reintegration into society.

Once again this demonstrates the cooperation between former rebels and the AFP. As I noted before there are certainly many more arms caches waiting to be found.  All it will take is the word of a former insurgent to locate them.

In Agusan 3 rebels surrendered and handed over their weapons. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1254323

The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) announced Tuesday the recent surrender of three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Agusan del Norte, who also turned over various firearms.

In a statement, the 4ID reported that NPA rebel June Elmar P. Butao initially surrendered around 9 a.m. on July 13, 2025, in Barangay Baobawan, Butuan City, handing over an M16 rifle.

Two hours later on the same day, two other NPA insurgents, identified as Pio Morales Patis and Judy Ann Lozada Urbistondo, also yielded to the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) in Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte. Both rebels turned over one AK-47 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, and ammunition to the government troops.

“The series of surrenders is the result of the intensified joint intelligence operations of the 29IB, which is under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade,” the 4ID said.

The three surrenderers are currently undergoing custodial debriefing in preparation for their enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). 

The AFP says these surrenders are "the result of the intensified joint intelligence operations" of two brigades. 

A rebel couple in Butuan surrendered seeking a new life. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1254208

A couple who had joined the communist New People’s Army (NPA) abandoned their ideology and voluntarily surrendered to military authorities in a remote village here over the weekend, the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said Monday.

The surrenderers were identified as Marjun Sagay Navarro and Rosemarie Garcia. They yielded in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Anticala, on Saturday, also turning over an M16 rifle.

“Tired of running and driven by their dream to raise a child in peace, the couple, who once waged war in the mountains, have surrendered to start a new life as a family,” the 4ID said in a statement.

The achievement, the 4ID added, resulted from the persistent community engagement efforts of the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade.

Maj. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., the 4ID commander, lauded the couple's decision to heed the call for peace and begin a new life.

“This is a courageous act that symbolizes hope for lasting peace and serves as an example to others who remain in the insurgency,” Anayron said in the same statement.

He said the couple will be enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to facilitate their eventual return to mainstream society as productive citizens.

Now there will be less conflict in their marriage which will ease their ability to start a new family. The E-CLIP benefits won't hurt either. 

Another way the AFP is fighting the insurgency is by building roads and other development projects. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1254383

Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido lauded the 52nd Engineering Brigade (52EBde) for its vital engineering support to various development programs in Northern Mindanao.

In a statement on Wednesday, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said Galido made the remark as he visited the 52EBde's headquarters at Camp Natividad in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, during its 56th founding anniversary on July 10.

"During his visit, the Army chief commended 'Kaayadan' (nickname of the 52EBde) troopers for making a significant impact on communities through development and engineering services," Dema-ala said.

These projects include collaboration with government agencies and local government units on the construction of farm-to-market roads and other similar infrastructure, he added.

The PA chief, in his keynote address, also shared plans to further develop the 42,000-hectare Camp Kibaritan in Kalilangan, Bukidnon, as the main Army training area in Mindanao due to its "significant potential."

"The Army chief also emphasized the importance of establishing a top-notch training environment to further produce a dedicated and professional force with a high level of operational readiness," Dema-ala said.

Concluding his remarks, Galido challenged the 52EBde to embrace change and constant improvement, stating that while being good is acceptable, striving to be excellent is essential. 

It's  a shame these roads could not have been built earlier.