1,631 NPA rebels and their supporters have been neutralized between January 1st and November 13th.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1263541 |
More than 1,600 New People's Army (NPA) rebels and their supporters have been "neutralized" so far this year, further weakening the remnants of the communist guerilla movement in the country.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said 1,631 NPA rebels and sympathizers have either surrendered or been captured or killed from Jan. 1 to Nov. 13.
Of the total number, 1,433 surrendered, 90 were arrested, and 108 were killed in military operations during the period, the AFP said.
The AFP said the high number of surrenders indicates the thinning of rebel ranks and shows the growing inability of the NPA and their allies to threaten the country's security, giving government troops more opportunity to focus on external or territorial defense operations.
A total of 967 assorted firearms were also seized and turned over to authorities during the same time frame, the military said.
Aside from this, the AFP said 4,341 anti-personnel mines were either seized or surrendered, with 138 NPA encampments captured during the period.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said the Marcos administration is committed to improving the lives of former rebels who have willingly chosen the path to peace.
Under the peace agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., former communist insurgents can avail of the national government’s socio-economic projects, as well as its amnesty program to address their legal concerns, enabling them to complete their transformative journey and successfully return to mainstream society.
In 2023, Marcos issued Proclamation 404, granting amnesty to former members of the NPA, as well as of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs, among other offenses.
Again, we see conflicting numbers. How many are actual rebels and how many are actual supporters. The last official public count of remaining rebels was in November 2024 and is 1,111.
(In terms of the strength of the New People's Army, they are really weak. So they only have about 1,111 fighters left from the 2,200 last year. So that is a big reduction in their manpower. And in terms of firearms, the reduction is the same, about 1,000 firearms have been reduced.)
And yet here we read 1,631 rebels and supporters have surrendered since the beginning of 2025.
Lumbaca Unayan in Lanao del Sur has been declared both NPA and Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group free. Of course they had a fancy ceremony to celebrate.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1263682 |
The municipal council of Lumbaca Unayan in Lanao del Sur declared the area free from the influence of the terror Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) remnants and the communist New People’s Army (NPA), the military said Thursday.
Lt. Col. Jerry Gaviola, commander of the Philippine Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion, said the declaration was made through Municipal Council Resolutions 16 and 17, which were passed on the same day.
Gaviola said the declaration symbolizes the community’s collective stance against terrorism and local armed groups.
“Today marks a turning point for our municipality. By standing together, we send a powerful message that we will never allow fear, violence, or extremism to rule our community again,” Gaviola said in a statement.
A peace rally at Barangay Oriental Beta's municipal hall also marked the establishment of the Municipal Task Force – Ending Local Armed Conflict (MT-ELAC), aimed at maintaining peace and preventing the resurgence of violent extremism.
The event included a peace motorcade, a walk rally, and the burning of the ISIS flag, all showing the people’s strong rejection of violent extremism.
The DI-MG has long caused many casualties among civilians, creating widespread fear and disruption in affected communities—highlighting the importance of the day’s declaration.
“Your courage to stand against extremism is the true foundation of lasting peace,” Gaviola said.
He noted that Thursday’s declaration is especially timely following successful security operations in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur, on Nov. 15, which resulted in the death of DI-MG leader Najib Laguindab alias Abu Jihad.
Brig. Gen. Yasser Bara, commander of the Army’s 1101st Infantry Brigade, earlier said that Laguindab was involved in the Dec 3, 2023 bombing at the province’s Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City that killed four people and injured 50 others.
The bombing took place during a mass at MSU’s Dimaporo Gymnasium.
Gaviola said the death of Laguindab weakened extremist influence in the province and reinforced the importance of community-driven peace initiatives.
No word that they burned the NPA or communist flag but its likely seeing as they burned the ISIS flag. Obviously there are still DI-Maute members out there.
In Leyte the Army killed 3 rebels in a clash. They say it's a major blow to the NPA in Leyte but we have heard that before.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1263478 |
The deaths of a squad leader and two other members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a clash with government troops in Barangay Pange, Jaro, Leyte, on Monday mark a major setback for the insurgent group’s operations on Leyte Island.
Brig. Gen. Pompeyo Jason Almagro, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said in a phone interview on Tuesday that the NPA’s Island Committee Levox has been significantly weakened following the encounter. With the loss of three fighters from Squad 2, the unit now has only three members left, while Squad 1 retains 12.
According to Almagro, Squad 2 operates in the mountainous areas of central Leyte, while Squad 1 members have been moving within the boundaries of Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces.
“The encounter is a big loss to the NPA, especially since they have already lost the support of communities in Leyte, making it difficult for them to recruit new members,” he told the Philippine News Agency.
The fatalities were identified as Fidel Lagado, alias Rod/Jason; medical officer Maricel Anora, alias Yenyen/Gani; and political guide Jun Berino, alias Sonny/Danny.
Berino, who took part in various anti-government protests before the 2020 pandemic, had been tagged by the military as a top NPA recruiter.
Soldiers recovered a carbine rifle, three caliber .45 pistols, three rifle grenades, three mobile phones, subversive documents, and personal belongings at the encounter site.
“We sympathize with the death of the three NPA members, but we have not wavered in our call for them to come down and surrender to achieve true peace in their lives,” Almagro said. “This incident could have been avoided if they had listened to the government's call. Once again, we urge the remaining NPA members in Leyte to surrender while it is still possible.”
The Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion is assisting the families of the slain rebels and coordinating their burial.
It's a big blow because they can't recruit. But the AFP has been big on preventing recruitment. Why if they NPA cannot recruit due to the loss of support from the surrounding communities?
Recovered from this encounter was the weapon of a soldier beheaded by the NPA in 2023.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2143618/firearm-of-beheaded-soldier-recovered-from-encounter-site-in-leyte |
A handgun recovered from a clash between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Jaro, Leyte, has been confirmed to be the service firearm of an Army soldier who was tortured and beheaded by the rebels in 2023, the 8th Infantry Division reported Thursday.
The caliber .45 pistol was found during a post-encounter clearing operation following the Nov. 17 armed clash between 8ID troops and remnants of the NPA’s Island Committee Levox.
The battle resulted in the deaths of three rebels and the earlier seizure of two high-powered firearms.
Military verification showed that the recovered pistol belonged to the late Private First Class Aries Ampoan, who was beheaded by communist rebels on April 2, 2023, during an encounter in Abuyog, Leyte.
The 8ID said the weapon serves as vital evidence linking the NPA rebels to the atrocity.
“This is a significant step in securing justice for Pfc. Ampoan,” Major Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, the commanding officer of the 8th ID, said in a statement, noting that the find reinforces intelligence assessments connecting the slain rebels to previous attacks against government forces.
Orio added that the recovery confirms both the accountability of the group and the urgency of sustaining security operations across the region.
“Our commitment goes beyond securing communities; it extends to upholding International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and pursuing justice for our fallen soldiers,” Orio said.He added: “This encounter brings undeniable clarity to the heinous nature of the enemy we face and provides crucial accountability for their crimes.”
The three NPA fatalities were identified as Fidel Lagado alias “Ivan,” Rogelio Berino alias “Jun,” and Maricel Anora alias “Gani.”
In compliance with IHL, the 8ID turned over their remains to their families through the coordination of the local government of Jaro and ensured arrangements for their dignified burial.
The three slain rebels belonged to the Island Committee Levox of the communist group in the region.
It certainly is a "significant step in securing justice for Pfc. Ampoan." Who knows but one of the three men killed chopped off his head. Of course there are 12 members of squad 2 left so his killer might still be alive.
The NPA continues to use anti-personnel mines which is against the Geneva convention.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1263465 |
Army troops recovered two anti-personnel mines planted near a civilian foot trail in Surigao del Sur, military officials reported Tuesday (Nov. 18, 2025).
The 75th Infantry Battalion discovered the explosives during a patrol on Nov. 15 in Barangay San Pedro, Marihatag town.
Lt. Col. Earl Pardillo, battalion commander, condemned the use of the mines, calling it a “grave violation of International Humanitarian Law.”
“Even children could have been the victims,” Pardillo said, noting the trail is regularly used by residents.
The recovered explosives are now in secure custody for disposal by Army ordnance teams.
But alls fair in war right? What does the NPA care about following the rules of war. The only rule of war is kill your enemy. Right?
A suspect in the 2019 Cotabato church bombing surrendered to the PNP.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1263595 |
A suspect in the 2019 bombing in North Cotabato that wounded five people surrendered to police Tuesday, officials announced Wednesday (Nov. 19, 2025).
The suspect, identified as "Alias Nasser," is a 40-year-old member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's military wing.
Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, Police Regional Office-12 director, said police conducted negotiations with the suspect's family after he sent a surrender feeler.
“When the feeler was verified and validated, the police negotiated directly with the suspect’s family for his peaceful surrender,” Ardiente said.
Police presented the suspect with his warrant for multiple frustrated murder with double attempted murder, which carries a PHP200,000 bail bond.
Turns out he is a member of the MILF. That is interesting because it is the MILF who runs the BARMM. Imagine that.
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