Insurgency: Armed Men Attack Military Camp

Last week eight rebels were killed in two clashes in Northern Samar. Three of them were key leaders among the remnants.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1255741

Top leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas are among those killed in recent clashes between government troops and rebels in Las Navas, Northern Samar, the Philippine Army (PA) said on Monday.

Former rebels have identified seven out of the eight rebels killed during two clashes in the mountains of San Isidro village on July 31.

The slain NPA members were Richard Jumadiao (alias Joban), leader of sub-regional guerilla unit Laysan of the NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC); Edgar Baselga (alias Ali), squad 1 leader of the regional guerilla unit (RGU); alias Berbon, vice squad leader; and Jinky Senobio (alias Sinag); Marciano Pecayo (alias Lakay); alias Desoy; and alias Rico, all members of the RGU under EVRPC.

The PA said multiple cases of atrocities in Northern Samar have been linked to Jumadiao and his group, including a series of ambuscades, extortion, radicalization of civilians, and jeopardizing government projects and initiatives to bring peace and sustainable development in the region.

“While these individuals chose to take up arms and engage in acts of terror, we continue to uphold our duty to treat the dead with dignity. We are working closely with the local government units to locate and inform the families of the deceased, ensuring they are properly notified and allowed to claim the remains,” Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the PA 8th Infantry Division, said.

Soldiers launched the operation following the information given by a concerned civilian that a group of armed men was conducting extortion activities and threatening farmers in the area, a known NPA lair.

After the clashes, soldiers recovered five M16 rifles, two R4 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, a K3 light machine gun and an M16 rifle.

Brig. Gen. Carmelito Pangatungan, commander of the PA 803rd Infantry Brigade, lauded Northern Samar residents for supporting the government's anti-insurgency efforts by reporting about the presence of the armed men.

“The recent armed encounters in Barangay San Isidro, Las Navas, are a clear demonstration of our resolve to protect Northern Samar from communist NPA terrorists who continue to threaten and extort our farmers,” Pangatungan said in a separate statement.

This is proof that the AFP's claim the NPA is leaderless is baseless. No doubt there are more leaders to eliminate.

Samar's amnesty board has approved the application of 14 ex-rebels. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1255839

The Local Amnesty Board (LAB) of Catbalogan City, Samar has approved an additional 14 amnesty applications from former rebels during its latest case conference.

The approved applications will be forwarded to the Office of the President, the only one authorized to grant or deny amnesty.

Golda Meir Tabao, head of the Samar Provincial Information Office who represented Governor Sharee Ann Tan during the LAB meeting on Monday, said LAB Catbalogan has already recommended 93 amnesty applications for approval of the President.

“The 14 approved amnesty applications comply with the guidelines of Amnesty Proclamation 404 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in 2023 that grants amnesty to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and the Special Penal Law in furtherance of their political beliefs,” Tabao said in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Former CPP-NPA-NDF members qualified to apply for amnesty are those who are facing charges for their political beliefs, such as rebellion, inciting rebellion, sedition and illegal assembly.

Not eligible are those facing cases such as murder, kidnapping for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, illegal cases, drug-related crimes, enforced crimes against humanity, enforced torture, torture, etc., disappearance, and human rights violations.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Samar district office has expressed its willingness to collaborate with LAB Catbalogan in implementing the National Amnesty Program.

In a letter-invitation to LAB Catbalogan, NBI Samar head Gil Mendoza requested an amnesty orientation for its staff to familiarize them with the program's key guidelines, implementing rules and regulations, and rules of procedure.

Mendoza emphasized the crucial role of the NBI in verifying applicant information and ensuring that they meet the requirements for amnesty.

He also said the NBI’s support is vital in facilitating the amnesty process and promoting peace and reconciliation in the country.

Former and current communist insurgents have until March 14, 2026 to submit their applications.

That effectively absolves them of all crimes committed during the rebellion. The same can't  be said for the following two NPA rebels who were recenlty arrested. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1255919

Bicol police arrested the No. 1 most wanted person in the region, known as “Jake,” a member of the New People's Army (NPA) operating in Masbate, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) said Wednesday.

PRO-5 director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. reported that the 35-year-old suspect, a resident of Masbate City, is associated with the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya (KLG) North, which is part of the Sub-Regional Committee 4 (SRC4) of the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC).

He reportedly operates under the command of Luding Tolingin, also known as “Daddy” or “Herman”.

“Jake has been the subject of multiple arrest warrants issued by various Regional Trial Courts (RTC) in Masbate City. The warrants stem from his alleged involvement in serious crimes, including one count of frustrated murder, four counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and two violations of international humanitarian law," the report said.

The warrants were mostly issued between February 2021 and February 2022, highlighting the long-standing pursuit of the suspect due to the severity and number of crimes he allegedly committed.

Following his arrest, Jake was taken to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Masbate.

This guy has been on the run for the past four years but justice finally caught up with him. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1256062

An active Milisya ng Bayan member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested by personnel from the Butuan City Police Office in Barangay Anticala here on Thursday morning.

In a report, Lt. Col. Randie Azote, commander of the Butuan City Mobile Force Company (BCMPC), identified the rebel as alias Wowong, 44, a resident of the village.

The suspect is connected to the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Westland of the NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

“Wowong is wanted for the crimes of murder and multiple attempted murder with arrest warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 7 in Bayugan City,” Azote said.

The suspect is currently in BCMPC custody for proper disposition.

Azote recognized the coordination between the unit and community leaders that resulted in the arrest of the suspect.

It is not clear how long Wowong has been on the run but he will certainly not be receiving amnesty.

Not long ago the AFP declared Basilan Abu Sayyaf free. Yet, a military camp was recently attacked by several armed men. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2092712/3-soldiers-hurt-after-armed-men-attack-military-camp-in-basilan

Three soldiers were wounded after unidentified armed men strafed the headquarters of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Campo Uno, Lamitan City, Basilan province on Wednesday evening.

The attack triggered a 20-minute gunfight between the soldiers and the armed men.

The wounded soldiers were rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate treatment and were reported to be in stable condition as of Thursday noon.

Col. Frederick Sales, acting commanding officer of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade, confirmed the attack, saying the deliberate act of aggression against the military troops “is a clear affront to the stability and peace we have collectively worked hard to achieve in Basilan.”

“Such violence threatens the hard-won peace and progress we have made, and the perpetrators of this attack will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable,” he added.

Sales said the military assures the public that all necessary measures are being undertaken to ensure the safety of communities and track down those responsible for the attack.

The security measures in the island province was heightened and military troops remain on full alert, he pointed out.

“The attack, though alarming, only strengthens our resolve and determination to protect the gains of peace and development in Basilan,” Sales added.

Whether Abu Sayyaf or not it just goes to show the peace is fragile and largely illusory in Basilan.