The NPA continues to dwindle. They have been irrelevant and on the brink of collapse for years. Now, they are on the brink of collapse again. This time they are almost done for on Panay Island.
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| https://www.panaynews.net/on-brink-of-collapse-npa-in-panay-down-to-20-or-less-army/ |
The Philippine Army has declared the communist insurgency in Panay Island nearly extinguished, with only “20 or less” armed New People’s Army (NPA) members still active across the island.
The once formidable armed movement is now a mere remnant, weakened by sustained military operations, surrenders, and defections, said Lieutenant Colonel Jekyll Julian Dulawan, commanding officer of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB).
“Their numbers are down to 20 or less. That’s all of Panay. They’re going down. Some haven’t surrendered yet, they’ve just left, but we’re still counting them. Some are still hiding, some are buried,” Dulawan told Panay News.
He expressed confidence that Panay Island would soon achieve insurgency-free status.
“Think about it, they are few. It is great news that eventually there will be no more armed groups,” said Dulawan.
According to Dulawan, the remaining NPA cadres are scattered in Antique and Tapaz, Capiz but their capacity is only a fraction of the past.
“They reached the Antique side and then reached Tapaz. If you look at them, they are still strong. But if you compare them to the previous groups here in Panay, now that is all they are left with. They are fewer. Some are surrendering,” he said.
The battalion credited not only military pressure but also government presence and community gains in weakening the insurgents’ support network.
“There in Tapaz, there are many groups that provide them with food so they can survive. They are just remnants, how many are there? They are there because that is where they are surviving,” said Dulawan.
Those in Tapaz, he added, would find it difficult to join forces with the rebels in Antique.
"Reluctance for them to go to the Antique side. They know that those who are different from them are no longer supported. Support is in the government," Dulawan emphasized, citing better roads, services, and grassroots acceptance as critical to eroding NPA influence.
Covering Iloilo's 1st and 2nd districts, Antique, and Guimaras, the 61IB continues its two-pronged approach: relentless military pressure coupled with reintegration support.
"We are focused on continuous military operations, but also on encouraging surrender and reintegration. The goal is clear: peace without armed groups," Dulawan declared.
Wait a second. There are only 20 members left but they are still strong? I don't get it. Recently, an NPA leader from Iloilo, that is Panay Island, surrendered after a firefight.
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/wounded-npa-leader-surrenders-receives-aid-from-iloilo-governor |
A RANKING leader of the Communist Terrorist Group’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P), wounded in a recent clash with government forces in Tapaz, Capiz, has voluntarily surrendered and is now enrolled in government reintegration programs.
As part of the reintegration program, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on September 30, 2025, extended financial assistance of P20,000 to the surrenderer, also known as alias Mego. The aid, intended to support his medical treatment, was received on his behalf by his brother.
The turnover was witnessed by Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Rani Melvi Cuarte; First Lieutenant John Bethoven Malana, Civil-Military Operations officer of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB); Staff Sergeant Quarine A. Iwag, Civil Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer of the 82IB; and Corporal Jeanrod Anthony A. Cuya, CMO Management Information System officer of the 82IB.
Alias Mego, 31, a native of Igbaras, Iloilo, served as the commanding officer of the KR-P Regional Headquarters.
He surrendered to the joint forces of the 301st Infantry (Bayanihan) Brigade (301Bde) on September 26, 2025, in Barangay Lagdungan, Tapaz, after sustaining a left-foot injury during an armed clash with the 82IB, 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion (61IB), and 12th Infantry (Lick ’Em) Battalion (12IB) in Barangay Katipunan, Tapaz.
Military officials said sustained operations in Tapaz have weakened the remnants of KR-P, resulting in the neutralization of three members and the surrender of others.
Troops immediately administered first aid and brought Mego to a station hospital for proper treatment, demonstrating their commitment to assist those who surrender.
Brigadier General Nhel Richard Patricio, commander of the 301Bde, said the surrender affirms the brigade’s thrust: “Towards Peace, Healing, and Reconciliation.”
Major General Michael Samson, commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, lauded the returnee’s decision to abandon the armed struggle. He urged individuals to heal both their physical injuries and the deeper emotional wounds resulting from years of armed conflict, the hardships endured within the group, and the pain inflicted on their families.
Military officials noted that continuous pressure and declining community support have convinced rebels that the armed struggle offers no future.
Its interesting that a man who was caught during a firefight will basically be given amnesty when he should be tossed into prison.
In Antique there is only one rebel left and the Army is hoping he will surrender.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1259922 |
The 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB), under the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army, called on the remaining member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) from Antique to surrender and avail of the national government’s program, End to Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
Lt. Col. Jekyll Dulawan, the battalion’s commanding officer in the province, said they have not monitored any enemy activities in Antique. However, a remnant of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon (KR)-Panay from Barangay Igparas, Sibalom, remains due to ongoing focused military operations.
"We are urging Julius Segundera Morga, alias ‘Tonton,’ from Igparas, Sibalom, to surrender. He should avail of the government program," Dulawan said at the Joint Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) 3rd Quarter Meeting on Tuesday.
He said Morga was identified by a surrenderer as their only remaining member from Antique.
Morga is assigned in Tapaz, Capiz, where there are still remnants of the KR, since Antique is now insurgency–free.
“We assure Morga of his security once he surrenders,” the Army officer said.
Dulawan said the government forces are the protectors of the people, and would like the rebels to avail themselves of the ELCAC, a whole-of-the-nation approach of the government to assist them in mainstreaming into society.
This lone rebel is also on Panay Island.
Surrendering rebels do receive many benefits.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1260083 |
Some 150 former rebels and residents from conflict-vulnerable communities in Zamboanga del Norte can now start a new life after receiving housing units courtesy of the national government.
In a statement on Thursday, Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG) said among the beneficiaries were former members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
"Today, these assistance and projects that you will receive do not only come from the government — these are also fruits of your endeavors. So let’s take care of them and enrich them,” Tanjusay said as he read the message of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian during the official turnover on Wednesday in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.
The project was in coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).
The housing units were turned over under the Modified Shelter Assistance Project (MSAP) across six barangays of Sirawai, benefitting some 39 MNLF and MILF members and 111 residents from conflict-vulnerable and affected areas in the said town.
The beneficiaries also took part in the cash-for-work (CFW) program, where they helped build the houses, with each participant working for 30 days for a daily wage of PHP351.
To further strengthen livelihood opportunities, two livelihood associations — Sipakit and Panabutan — were also provided with seed capital funds under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, empowering conflict-affected communities through sustainable income projects and peace-promoting economic initiatives.
“The DSWD, under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, will remain with you — tirelessly, consistently, without stopping to serve you. We will continue the expansion of peace and development in areas that once had experienced discord, so that each one could again have a peaceful life filled with hope,” Tanjusay said.
Zamboanga del Norte Governor Darel Dexter Uy thanked the DSWD and OPAPRU for delivering homes that are not only eco-friendly but also able to withstand natural hazards, providing beneficiaries with long-term security.
The ceremony was attended by DSWD Field Office 9 - Zamboanga Peninsula Asst. Regional Director for Operations Ma. Socorro Macaso and the Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM) National Program Management Office.
Representatives from OPAPRU and Zamboanga del Norte provincial and municipal leaders also joined the turnover ceremony.
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| https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/1/ntf-elcac-seeks-2-year-extension-of-amnesty-program-2121 |
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) wants to extend the government’s amnesty program to communist rebels by two years.
In its execom meeting at the Palace Wednesday, October 1, the task force’s executive committee recommended the extension of the program’s termination from March 13, 2026 to March 13, 2028.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his State of the Nation Address in July that there are no guerrilla groups left and that government would work to make sure no more would be formed again.
“We got an information from the Task Force Balik-Loob wherein they informed us that they have a total of 50,000 potential applicants and we have the remaining six months to receive the applications,” Armamento said in a press briefing Wednesday, October 1.
Armamento also cited data from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity saying that 40,000 decommissioned members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front are also potential applicants for amnesty.
The government provides livelihood assistance to former rebels.
As of September 19, there have been 4,269 applicants to the program out of the 10,000 initial number of expected applicants.
However, only nine have been recently recommended and approved by the President and awaiting certificates of amnesty.
The official pointed out that the approval process among ex-officio members causes bottlenecks.
She mentioned the additional requirements particularly from the heads of the Department of Justice and Department of National Defense.
She said the application form for amnesty seekers already includes an admission of guilt, made under oath but the DOJ requires a separate sworn affidavit admitting guilt.
(So, you have to send the documents back)
She added the DND requires an original copy of the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee Certification.
(We tell them that their office issues the JAPIC so they should provide the originals. So, we send that back to them. It's a lot of work)
Armamento is optimistic in finding a way to streamline the approval process, noting that the commission itself has resolved 285 amnesty applications.
Wow. Only nine out of 4,269 have been approved and there is a potential of 90,000 more applicants. Where are they? Is their absence solely due to red tape!? The fact that only nine have been approved shows a complete disconnect between intent and execution.
The NTF-ELCAC also wants the public to know all their development projects are above board. There are no ghost projects.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2118334/ntf-elcac-barangay-development-program-has-no-ghost-projects |
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) on Wednesday maintained that the government’s Barangay Development Program (BDP), designed to eliminate communist influence at the community level, has no “ghost” projects.
At a Palace briefing, NFT-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. explained the strict guidelines and monitoring taken by stakeholders to ensure that BDP projects are implemented properly.
“They have ownership in the implementation of the project. That’s why it’s really good. We really don’t have any ghost projects,” Torres said.
“Even though we are not engineers, we have an idea on what to inspect. So that is a very good system, that everybody is involved in seeing to it that these projects are implemented properly,” he also said.
Meanwhile, Torres also expressed support for Senate Bill No. 1366, also known as the Terror Grooming and Radicalization Prevention Act, which seeks to stop radicalization and recruitment of vulnerable Filipinos to communist groups.
“The Execom expressed support to the passage of the Terror-Grooming Prevention Act because this will strengthen our preventive mechanism against radicalization, recruitment, and indoctrination, especially among the youth and vulnerable sectors of our society,” he said.
“It is a critical shield to protect vulnerable Filipinos, youth, indigenous communities, and farmers from being exploited and radicalized by terrorists,” he added.Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida reported a decline in the number of communist guerrilla fronts in the country.
“Based on the parameters on the clearing, we have seen a steady decline in all the insurgency parameters,” he said.
In terms of manpower, Larida said that in 2022 there were 2,008 communist terrorist groups monitored. By the end of the first semester of 2025, the number of CTGs had gone down to 901.
“So, almost less than half remains. The Armed Forces of the Philippines play a major role in contributing to the objectives of the NTF-ELCAC,” Larida said.
Perhaps they need to a second pair of eyes to check up on them.
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