Recently four rebels accused of murder were acquitted but the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 266. The NTF-ELCAC says that is indicative of lawfare.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1256766 |
A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday said the acquittal of five ranking members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) of kidnapping and murder charges highlights the "sophisticated use of lawfare" by the group.
NTF-ELCAC executive director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., said the CPP-NPA-NDF's use of such tactics shows the group's efforts to evade accountability and perpetuate impunity.
Lawfare is defined as the use of legal systems and institutions to affect foreign or domestic policies.
"It serves as a stark challenge to our law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. The NTF-ELCAC views this as a call to action to strengthen collaboration, enhance investigative capabilities, and ensure the effective presentation of complex insurgency-related cases in court. We owe this to the victims and our security personnel who risk their lives to apprehend perpetrators," he said in a statement.
Torres was referring to the decision of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 266 last week to acquit Tirso Alcantara, Dionisio Almonte, Diony Borre, Renante Gamara, and Raul Razo of two counts of kidnapping with murder.
While stressing that the NTF-ELCAC respects the judiciary and the legal process, Torres said the acquittal of the five shows the challenges in seeking justice for victims of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
"However, this acquittal, based on the standard of reasonable doubt, compels us to confront the broader context and persistent challenges in seeking justice for victims of the Communist CPP-NPA-NDF," he added.
Despite this, Torres said this ruling does not diminish their resolve in seeking justice for the victims.
"It reinforces the fundamental truth that sustainable peace cannot be built on impunity. True reconciliation requires accountability. More importantly, it validates the core mission of the NTF-ELCAC: addressing the root causes of insurgency – poverty, injustice, lack of opportunity – that groups like the CPP-NPA-NDF exploit to recruit and sustain their violent campaign. They twist legitimate grievances into fuel for terrorism," he said.
Torres said the NTF-ELCAC remains steadfast in its goal to support law enforcement and the prosecution service in building robust cases against those who threaten the peace and amplify the voices of victims and survivors.
He also vowed to redouble their efforts in implementing the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development (NAP-UPD), which focuses on holistic development and good governance to remove the very conditions insurgents exploit.
Torres said they will work tirelessly to ensure no Filipino family, youth, or community remains vulnerable to the destructive manipulations of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
"The acquittal of these senior cadres is a chapter closed in court, but the broader struggle for justice and lasting peace continues. The NTF-ELCAC is committed to writing the next chapter: one where insurgency has no fertile ground, and communities thrive in security and prosperity," he added.
Lawfare? That is not the full definition of lawfare. This article has posted half of the definition from Wikipedia and it is inapplicable to this situation.
Lawfare is the use of legal systems and institutions to affect foreign or domestic affairs, as a more peaceful and rational alternative, or as a less benign adjunct, to warfare.
Detractors have alternately begun to define the term as, "An attempt to damage or delegitimize an opponent, or to deter an individual's usage of their legal rights". The term may refer to the use of legal systems and principles against an enemy, such as by damaging or delegitimizing them, wasting their time and money (e.g., strategic lawsuits against public participation or SLAPP), or winning a public relations victory. Alternatively, it may describe a tactic used by repressive regimes to label and discourage civil society or individuals from claiming their legal rights via national or international legal systems. This is especially common in situations when individuals and civil society use nonviolent methods to highlight or oppose discrimination, persecution, corruption, lack of democracy, limiting freedom of speech, violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law.
How exactly was the defense of the CPP-NPA-NDF an instance of using "legal systems and institutions to affect foreign or domestic affairs, as a more peaceful and rational alternative, or as a less benign adjunct, to warfare?" It's not. The CPP-NPA-NDF using the courts to end the insurgency would be lawfare . In this case, seeing as they were acquitted because of faulty evidence that did not stand the test of reasonable doubt, the one committing lawfare would be the state as they sought to silence and delegitimize the CPP-NPA-NDF.
The NTF-ELCAC says this acquittal is a wake-up call "to strengthen collaboration, enhance investigative capabilities, and ensure the effective presentation of complex insurgency-related cases in court." They should have been doing that from the get-go.
The AFP has had the same reaction as the NTF-ELCAC.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/18/afp-reacts-to-acquittal-of-ndfp-consultants-3-others-over-2007-kidnap-slay-of-army-soldier-rebel-returnee |
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday, Aug. 18, acknowledged the decision of the Taguig Regional Trial Court (RTC) clearing two consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and three others for the kidnapping and killing of a Philippine Army (PA) soldier and a rebel-returnee 18 years ago.
AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the military views the court’s ruling to acquit NDFP consultants Tirso Alcantara and Renante Gamara, along with Diony Borre, Raul Razo, and Dionisio Almonte “not as an endpoint but as a call to double our resolve.”
The five were cleared of charges in the kidnap-slay of Private First Class Ereberto Eclavea and rebel-returnee Richard Cortizano in Quezon province on May 27, 2007.
“While we acknowledge the recent decision of the Taguig Regional Trial Court, which has acquitted certain individuals—including Tirso Alcantara and four others—who held senior positions in the CPP-NPA-NDF, it is important to remember: these are not merely activists, but individuals who held significant leadership roles in an organization legally designated as terrorist, one that for decades perpetrated violence and inflicted suffering upon Filipino communities,” Padilla said.
The CPP and its armed wing, the NPA, were formally designated as terrorist organizations in 2017 under Proclamation No. 374 issued by then-president Rodrigo Duterte.
The case of the NDFP, however, was more complex.
In 2021, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) also labeled the NDFP as a terrorist organization, describing it as an “integral and inseparable part” of the CPP–NPA. The move drew criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates, who argued that since the NDFP had once been recognized as a negotiating party in peace talks, its designation could complicate the prospects for future peace negotiations.
For the AFP, Padilla said that judicial outcomes, whether convictions or acquittals, underscore the critical importance of sustained operations, community engagement, and intelligence-driven actions.
“Rather than emboldening the communist armed groups, we believe such decisions reinforce the necessity for unified, lawful efforts to ensure they remain irrelevant—denied both the resources and public support needed to continue armed struggle,” she noted.
Padilla stressed that while the AFP respects the independence of the judiciary, the military would continue to perform its mandate to defend the Constitution, uphold public safety, and protect the communities from ideological violence.
“We reaffirm our call for members of the CPP-NPA to abandon the path of armed conflict, return to the rule of law, and embrace constructive dialogue through legal and peaceful means,” she said.
According to reports, the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 266 cleared Alcantara, Gamara, Borre, Almonte, and Razo over the kidnap-slay of Eclavea and Cortizano after the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The court said that the killing of Eclavea and Cortizano was established through a witness’ testimony, who claimed that he knew about the victims and the suspects, and who stated that he was informed of the killing by two other individuals. The court ruled that the witness’ statements were mere hearsay and not based on personal knowledge.
Human rights watch group Karapatan hailed the acquittal of the NDFP consultants and activists, saying the charges filed against them were “trumped-up”.
Karapatan Secretary-General Cristina Palabay said that while Gamara and Alcantara were NDFP consultants, Almonte, Borre and Razo were not communist rebels, contrary to what the military alleged. She said Borre and Razo were construction workers and activists, while Almonte was a peasant organizer.
“We are glad that the court saw through the lies and inconsistencies in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses,” Palabay said, “and we hail the efforts of the defense lawyers in ferreting out the truth and securing the liberty of those who had been wrongfully accused and unjustly detained for so long. Free all political prisoners!”
The AFP respects the decision but says it is a reminder of "the necessity for unified, lawful efforts to ensure they remain irrelevant." No kidding. Any case brought before a court needs to be tight and unassailable.
The AFP continues to root out the NPA through clashes and seizures. In Mindoro the NPA seized war material after a clash.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1256895 |
Soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division (2ID) seized war materiel after an armed encounter with members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, on Tuesday.
According to Lt. Col. Jeffrex G. Molina, chief of the Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO), troops from the 4th Infantry Battalion clashed with NPA elements during a security operation based on reports from residents.
Recovered after the 15-minute firefight were an M16 rifle, three bandoliers, 22 magazines, 124 rounds of live ammunition, three backpacks, a generator set, six hammocks, 16 poncho tents, a sack of rice, as well as vitamins and medicines.
While no government casualties were recorded, troops discovered bloodstains at the site, indicating possible enemy casualties. Clearing and pursuit operations are ongoing as soldiers continue to track the fleeing rebels.
“This development comes as 2ID intensifies its operations across Mindoro, with the goal of clearing the island of the remaining NPA influence and ensuring lasting peace and security for its communities before the year ends,” Molina said.
Tents, rice, vitamins, and medicines. Truly these rebels were set to defeat the Philippine government. War material was also recovered in Camarines Norte.
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| https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/956410/npa-war-materiel-recovered-in-camarines-norte-2id/story/ |
Authorities recovered war materiel of the New People’s Army (NPA) during security operations in Barangay Malaya, Labo, Camarines Norte on Monday, the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) said.
“Recovered from the site were six M16A1 rifles, one AK47 rifle, a claymore-type Anti-Personnel Mine, and 195 rounds of live ammunition,” the 2ID said.
“The discovery of the arms cache prevented the possibility of these firearms being used in hostile actions against government forces and civilians in the area,” the military added.
Citing information from the 201st Infantry Brigade, the 2ID said a concerned citizen gave the state forces information regarding the location of the supposed NPA arms cache in their community.
This information led to the security operations of the 16th Infantry Battalion, 85th Infantry Battalion, and the Philippine National Police in the area.
The seized items were brought to the concerned authorities for proper documentation and disposition, according to the 2ID.
The existence of these caches means the NPA remains a determined threat.
The biggest discovery this week is 17 bombs in South Cotabato.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2098724/soldiers-recover-17-bombs-in-south-cotabato-foil-alleged-rebel-plot |
Soldiers in South Cotabato recovered 17 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) believed to have been planted by communist rebels, preventing a possible attack in the province, the military said on Thursday.
Troops from the Army’s 105th Infantry Battalion responded to reports from residents and members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) about suspicious items in Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay Maan, Tboli town, on Wednesday afternoon.
The search led to the recovery of 16 anti-personnel mines and another explosive device along an abandoned road leading to Lake Maughan, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said.
Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, thanked the community for their cooperation, saying the information they provided prevented “a possible tragic incident that could have claimed many lives.”
The military said the explosives were linked to members of Guerrilla Front 72 of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army, allegedly led by a commander known as “Gawets.”
Maj. Gen. Donald Gumiran, commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, said in a statement that the recovery underscored the importance of coordination between communities and security forces in countering rebel activities.
These IEDs have been linked to a Guerrilla Front. But Marcos in his SONA said there were no more Guerrilla Fronts. He was certainly wrong and the NPA remains a deadly threat.
The threat raised its head when a tip lead to a clash between the NPA and the AFP in Aurora.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1257114 |
A timely report from a concerned citizen sparked a brief firefight between government forces and remnants of the communist New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Ibona, Dingalan, Aurora on Thursday afternoon.
The 703rd Infantry Brigade (703IB) “Agila” Brigade reported on Friday that its troops engaged about 10 members of the dismantled Komiteng Rehiyon Gitnang Luzon.
There was no military casualty at the end of the 10-minute firefight. Enemy losses remained unconfirmed as of posting.
After the clash, soldiers recovered possible NPA belongings, like backpacks, bandoliers, ammunition, a hand grenade and communication equipment.
“This encounter showed that the community stands firm against the remnants of the CTG (communist terrorist group). Their support makes our job possible,” Brig. Gen. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, 703IB commander, said in a statement.
He also urged the remaining NPA members to surrender and reintegrate into society, while appealing to local government officials to sustain their collaboration with security forces.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines repeatedly emphasizes that community involvement is a decisive factor in the counterinsurgency campaign.
No word on how many rebels were encountered but the AFP did recover war materials after the fight.
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