Insurgency: Concerned By Divisions

In August of 2025 the MILF stopped the decommissioning process. They claimed the government had not kept its promises. This was a huge blow to the peace process which has been ongoing for almost a decade. Now the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. is calling the MILF to resolve its internal divisions. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/08/galvez-concerned-by-divisions-within-milf-leadership

Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday, Sept. 8, to resolve its internal rifts as he underscored that unity within the organization is crucial to sustaining the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.

This, as Galvez welcomed the concern raised by former peace negotiators over the apparent “divisions” within the leadership of the MILF.

“As they grapple with this internal challenge, we pray that the MILF leadership will be able to take immediate and decisive action to arrest a slide into factionalism. The responsibility of maintaining cohesion and order within their ranks lies squarely with them,” he said.

“We also pray that they be able to engage in deep internal reflection to address and settle any outstanding issues between and among themselves,” he added.

Galvez said any internal division within the MILF leadership risks undermining the broader aims of the historic peace process.

“We call on all those who have accompanied the government and the MILF during the protracted negotiations to exert their moral influence on its leaders in the hope that they may overcome their rift for the sake of the broader interest of peace in the region,” the presidential peace adviser noted.

Over the weekend, former Philippine government (GPH) peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and members Senen Bacani, Zenonida Brosas, Anna Tarhata-Basman, and Yasmin Busran-Lao expressed concern about the apparent “fracture” within the MILF.

“It is unfortunate that what we are seeing today is a fracture within the MILF,” said the peace panel which concluded negotiations with the MILF that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014. “But if there are external actors exacerbating these fractures and propping up one against the other, then the tensions are multiplied.”

The group urged the MILF leadership to “halt from any action that would only further destabilize their own organization,” as well as the government to “help unite, not divide, its peace partner.”

The group said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should be fully informed about the situation on the ground. “In this light, we urge the President to decisively prevent any further escalation of the tension that would endanger the smooth transition to a duly elected Bangsamoro Parliament and compromise the full implementation of the CAB, including the decommissioning of MILF-BIAF weapons and combatants,” it said.

In recent months, disagreements have emerged over the appointment of key officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). In March 2025, the national government orchestrated a regime change in the BARMM, removing Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim, the chairman of the MILF, as the region’s interim Chief Minister, and appointed Abdulraof Macacua, chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), as his replacement.

MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal said this was done “without prior consultation and concurrence of the Central Committee of the MILF.” He stressed that this was also done a few months before the first parliamentary election in BARMM, which is slated on Oct. 13.

Some MILF members have expressed frustration over the perceived sidelining of their leaders in the transition authority, fueling discontent and stirring tensions within the movement.

In July, the MILF Central Committee suspended the last phase of the decommissioning of the remaining 14,000 combatants and 2,450 weapons due to what it called unfulfilled commitments by the national government, specifically on the provision of socio-economic packages to the decommissioned combatants so they could be fully reintegrated into society. The decommissioning of MILF forces is among the key provisions of the Annex on Normalization under the CAB.

Despite this, Galvez assured that the situation in the Bangsamoro region remains relatively stable, adding that peace will be preserved as long as all parties remain committed to dialogue and good faith in implementing the agreements.

What did the government think was going to happen? The MILF is a split faction from the MNLF. Islam always devolves into factionalism. Sunnis and Shias have been going at it for centuries.

The AFP continues to find NPA arms caches.  The latest cache was found in Eastern Samar. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1258309

The Philippine Army has recovered firearms after launching an attack against the remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the mountains of Llorente, Eastern Samar, on Monday.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Brigade, said in a phone interview Tuesday that government troops seized the firearms after rebels belonging to the NPA sub-regional committee Sesame fled away from their hideout following a 20-minute firefight.

“Our troops have not seen any casualty at the clash site. They only found abandoned firearms, backpacks containing personal belongings, food items, and cooking utensils,” Vestuir told the Philippine News Agency.

The operation resulted in the seizure of the NPA lair and the recovery of two M16 rifles, one .45 caliber pistol, five long and short magazines of M16 A1, and one magazine of .45 caliber pistol with five rounds of ammunition.

Lt. Col. Eduardo Meclat Jr., commander of the Army’s 63rd Infantry Battalion, said soldiers launched the operation on the NPA encampment to continuously insulate and protect the communities from the threats of the NPA remnants in the area.

“Through timely intelligence and the active cooperation of the community, government forces were able to pinpoint the NPA’s exact location in the area. The successful conduct of the combat operation has proven that the people and the communities are already inhospitable to the armed group,” Meclat said in a statement.

Vestuir commended the community's strong resolve to preserve the peace by not allowing the NPA remnants to regain a foothold and exert influence in their localities.

The official said people in the area are already enjoying the peace, and they don’t want it disrupted by the presence of NPA remnants.

This cache was found after a 20 minute firefight with NPA remnants. 

Elsewhere in Eastern Samar one NPA member was killed and two were captured after a clash. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/14/npa-rebel-killed-2-captured-in-samar-clash

A member of the New People’s Army was killed and two others were captured during an encounter on Saturday in Barangay Concepcion, Paranas, Samar.

Troops from the 46th Infantry (Peacemakers) Battalion were ambushed by remnants of the Special Operations Group (SOG), Yakal Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Browser, and Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), resulting in an intense firefight.

The NPA withdrew and troops recovered the body of Gerry dela Cruz, alias Justin, and captured Aye, a political guide from SRC Browser, and Tintin, a member of the Regional Security Force (RSF) EVRPC.

Recovered in the encounter site were three 5.56mm M16 rifles, two .45 caliber pistols, three backpacks, three bandoliers, subversive documents, and other war materiel.

Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, lauded troops for their vigilance and dedication.

“These successful engagements are proof that our relentless pursuit operations are effectively dismantling the armed capability of the CTGs. We will continue to hunt down these remnants until they can no longer threaten the peace and progress of Samar in general,” Orio said.

It's more proof that the NPA is still a deadly threat. 

In Agusan, Surigao 2 high ranking NPA leaders were captured by the PNP. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/12/2-high-ranking-cpp-npa-leaders-nabbed-in-agusan-surigao

Two high-ranking leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippine-New People’s Army were arrested in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur on Thursday, Sept. 11.

The Police Regional Office 13-Regional Operations Division (PRO 13-ROD) said they are undegoing tactical investigation by authorities.

“Yes, they are still under investigation,” PRO 13-Regional Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said.

Arrested were a 29-year-old vice team leader of Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda (SYP) Squad 1, Platoon Banglas, under the dismantled Guerrilla Front 88, South Regional Command 3 of the Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

He was listed as the third most wanted person in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga) and was caught in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. He was charged with murder with no bail recommended.

Also apprehended was the 49-year-old commanding officer of the weakened Guerrilla Front 30, SRC Westland, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

He was arrested in Carmen, Surigao del Sur for violating Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), multiple attempted murder, and seven counts of attempted murder with a total bail of P1 million. He also faces five counts of non-bailable murder and kidnapping with serious illegal detention cases.

PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV commended operating units for the arrest of the CPP-NPA leaders.

Meanwhile, the 53-year-old regional coordinator of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in the NEMRC white area committee voluntarily surrendered to the Cabadbaran City Police Station in Agusan del Norte. He turned over a caliber .45 Colt MKIV pistol and bullets.

A 29-year-old squad leader and medic of Squad 2 Alpha under the Regional Sentro de Gravidad of the NEMRC also surrendered to authorities in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. He yielded one rifle grenade and sensitive documents.

Don't forget the public has been told the NPA is leaderless. How many more times must they be proven wrong?

The governor of Bukidnon has pledged to support ex-rebels by helping them find employment. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1258448

The provincial government of Bukidnon on Wednesday affirmed its commitment to support former rebels by outlining new agriculture and economic policies for their reintegration.

In a speech during a peace summit here, Governor Rogelio Neil Roque said former rebels can find opportunities in coffee farming and trade, as the provincial government views its Coffee Roadmap as a long-term program.

Rogue said the program is one of the many alternatives that the provincial government can offer to former rebels, in addition to existing national government initiatives.

"I encourage the FRs (former rebels) to help as one community to overcome poverty," Roque said.

Roque was a key speaker at the Former Rebel and Peacebuilders Summit, organized by various government agencies. At the event, the former rebels, also known as “friends rescued,” solemnly recited the “Panumpa sa Pakig-Unong” (Peace Covenant).

The pledge, led by Maj. Gen. Michele B. Anayron Jr., commander of the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID), symbolized the former rebels' commitment to turn away from armed struggle and embrace peace, unity, and nation-building together with the government and the Filipino people.

It's not clear how former rebels would "find opportunities in coffee farming and trade." Acquiring land and materials to farm is very costly. Will that be provided by the NTF-ELCAC? 

The NTF-ELCAC has thrown its support to an anti-terror grooming bill. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1258503

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Thursday expressed full support for a Senate bill seeking to stop "terror grooming" and the radicalization and recruitment of students to communist groups.

In a statement, NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said Senate Bill 1366, or the proposed Terror Grooming and Radicalization Prevention Act, will protect Filipinos from radicalization traps, empower communities to reject manipulation, and save lives by disrupting terrorist recruitment.

"This bill is a critical shield against this injustice," Torres said.

He noted that young Filipinos, indigenous peoples, farmers, and marginalized families remain the top targets of rebels who exploit poverty, anger, and injustice to fuel their ranks.

The bill, filed by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, will slam the door on “terrorist recruiters,” Torres said.

"Every day, without this law, terrorists prey on our people’s hardships to fuel violence," he said. "This bill defends vulnerable Filipinos without silencing legitimate voices. It safeguards dreams, not destroys them."

He hailed Dela Rosa for pushing the measure and urged lawmakers and the public to rally behind it.

It's not clear how this bill will stop terror grooming and recruitment. Also the AFP has said the NPA is unable to recruit. Funny how they always flip-flop on that point.