Insurgency: Tino's Onslaught

Silago in Southern Leyte has officially been declared insurgency-free. Now the town will be able to avail of development projects. 

https://www.leytesamardailynews.com/silago-town-declared-insurgency-free-paving-way-for-growth-and-development/

The municipality of Silago in Southern Leyte is poised for accelerated growth and development following its official declaration as being under a stable internal peace and security condition (SIPSC), or more commonly referred to as “insurgency-free.”

The declaration, made on October 28, was formalized through a memorandum of understanding between local government officials, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other peace and security stakeholders—marking Silago’s transition from years of insurgent activity to a state of lasting peace and stability.

Mayor Lemuel Honor welcomed the milestone, describing it as a historic turning point for Silago.

“Peace is the foundation of progress. Now that our town is free from insurgency, we can welcome more investors and push forward with development projects that will uplift our communities,” he said.

The Sangguniang Bayan, led by Vice Mayor Sandielito Ando and peace and order committee chair Artemio Montana, affirmed Silago’s peaceful status through Resolution No. 01-2025. The resolution confirmed the absence of New People’s Army (NPA) presence and recognized the local government’s capacity to sustain peace and order without direct military intervention.

Colonel Rico Amaro, acting commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, described the declaration as both a triumph against insurgency and a new opportunity for local advancement.

“This achievement proves that cooperation among the local government, national agencies, and the community can create a climate where peace and development thrive side by side,” he said.

Amaro added that Silago’s new status will allow government services to reach even the most remote communities without disruption, enabling better livelihood programs, improved access to education and healthcare, and increased economic activity.

“The declaration sends a clear message — Silago is open, peaceful, and ready for business,” he emphasized.

Lieutenant Colonel Esmeraldo Sumalinog, commanding officer of the 14th Infantry Battalion, credited the unwavering support of local leaders and residents for helping the Army secure lasting peace in the town.

Silago’s SIPSC recognition leaves only the municipalities of Sogod and Hinunangan still in the process of attaining the same status in Southern Leyte. Once completed, the province will be closer to being fully declared insurgency-free — a milestone that promises sustained peace, development, and prosperity across all its municipalities.

In Eastern Visayas, Biliran remains the only province that has so far achieved an insurgency-free status at the provincial level.

Only two more towns need to be cleared for the entire province of Southern Leyte to be declared insurgency free.

In Bicol the demise of the NPA has restored the villagers' sense of peace. 

https://pia.gov.ph/news/demise-of-bicol-communist-groups-restores-villagers-sense-of-peace/

Arnel (not his real name) had lived in constant fear when communist insurgents dominated his village in Albay. 

He experienced panic attacks every time a representative from the New People’s Army (NPA) forced him to give part of his income from his convenience store and small farm to the terrorist organization. 

“If we don’t give, they threaten to kill us,” he said in an interview with the Integrated State Media. 

However, in recent years, the NPA guerrillas have become increasingly absent from his village. Although Arnel didn’t know the reason for this change, it has restored a sense of peace to his community. 

“We can now sleep peacefully and without fear. We can continue our simple livelihoods without anxiety, harassment, or anything else,” he said. 

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) announced that the government had dismantled three of the communist insurgency’s sub-regional committees in the Bicol region. 

These sub-regional rebel units function similarly to provincial police commands and operate under the direction of the NPA and its political party, the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, collectively referred to in the military as CPP-NPA-NDF, according to Major Frank Roldan, the chief of the Public Affairs Office of the 9th Infantry Division. 

Roldan confirmed that the dismantling of these sub-regional committees was validated by the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, all of which have reported a decrease in incidents of harassment and extortion by the communist terrorist groups in some parts of Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Norte. 

“We are grateful to the Joint Regional Task Force 5 (JRTF-5) for dismantling the sub-regional committees. This has a significant impact because the terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF can no longer disrupt our rural areas,” said Arnulfo Bajarin, NTF-ELCAC director for operations. 

JRTF is a coalition that includes government agencies and local officials, such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 9th Infantry Division. 

Bajarin noted that with the dissolution of the sub-rebel units, government infrastructure projects in their areas are no longer subject to extortion from the terrorist organization. 

“Because of this, the delivery of social services, farm-to-market roads, and infrastructure projects in the barangays previously affected by these three sub-regional committees will continue uninterrupted,” Bajarin added. 

The chair of the Bicol Regional Development Council, Albay Governor Noel Rosal, could not agree more. 

“Paliit ng paliit na sila [strength of communist insurgents],” Rosal said in a separate interview. 

He noted that the combination of military and civilian efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict through development programs, community engagement, and information campaigns has weakened the CPP-NPA-NDF. 

“Our approach is parallel. Together with the armed forces, we are enhancing infrastructure and social services. Because of this, it has become difficult for them to penetrate; they are lacking in personnel and have fewer contacts or ‘poste’ in the barangays,” he explained. 

Rosal emphasized that achieving development requires establishing peace and order in a community. 

“Count me in… I stand with our armed forces in the mission to eliminate this threat,” Rosal added.

Bicol has yet to be declared insurgency free but they seem to be getting close. It's strange that "Arnel" cannot explain why there have been less sightings of NPA guerrillas. Is he unaware of the AFP's counterinsurgency programs? 

A recently arrested NPA leader is being hailed as a key victory. 

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/army-hails-npa-leaders-arrest-as-key-victory/

The leadership of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has hailed the arrest of a top Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) leader as a turning point in the fight against insurgency in Western Visayas.

Major General Michael Samson, 3rd ID commander, called the capture of alias Mayok a major win for peace and unity on Panay Island, noting the suspect previously led Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) forces in Aklan, Iloilo, and Capiz.

Samson said the arrest also highlights the value of sustained military operations and community cooperation in achieving lasting peace.

“This arrest marks a decisive victory in our campaign to neutralize the remaining NPAs in Panay,” Samson said.

“We commend the bravery of our troops and the cooperation of our partners from the PNP and the community.”

“Let this be a clear message: the path of violence leads only to ruin, but peace offers hope and a future for all,” he added.

Mayok, the former secretary of the NPA Komiteng Rehiyon–Panay’s Central and Eastern Front, was arrested while in hiding at Jubilee Gawad Kalinga Village in Barangay Buntatala, Jaro, on the afternoon of Nov. 3.

He is believed to have overseen the remaining KR-Panay forces following the death of Roberto Cabales, alias Ted.

His arrest was carried out by operatives of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office–Provincial Intelligence Unit (IPPO-PIU), along with personnel from the Philippine Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion, 61st Infantry Battalion, 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion, and the PNP’s Regional Intelligence Division 6 (RID6), IPPO SWAT, Passi City Police Station, Iloilo City Police Office–City Intelligence and Investigation Unit, ICPO SWAT, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit 6, and Iloilo City Police Station 3.

Authorities said Mayok had evaded arrest for decades despite having seven standing warrants, including two non-bailable charges for murder and rebellion.

His capture came with a PHP 2.55 million reward under the Department of National Defense–Department of the Interior and Local Government (DND-DILG) Joint Order on Rewards No. 14-2012.

Brigadier General Nhel Richard Patricio, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, said the CTG’s strength is collapsing following Mayok’s arrest.

“The fight is over—it’s time to come home,” Patricio said.

“Surrender now while you still can.”

“The government is ready to help you start anew through E-CLIP and the Local Amnesty Program,” he added.

E-CLIP, or the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, is a government initiative that supports former CPP-NPA-NDF and Militia ng Bayan members in reintegrating into society and restoring allegiance to the Philippine government.

The arrest of another NPA leader only underscores that the NPA is not leaderless as the AFP has claimed.

Another former NPA leader has surrendered and pledged loyalty to the government. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2135518/ex-top-rebel-leader-yields-swears-allegiance-to-govt-in-bohol

Former National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant Roy Erecre, who once served as secretary of the Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (NCBS) regional committee of the New People’s Army (NPA), has formally surrendered to the government, marking an end to decades of involvement in the communist insurgency.

On Thursday, Erecre, 61, together with his partner Judith Jaron, took their oath of allegiance before Governor Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado at the Bohol Provincial Capitol, signifying their complete renunciation of the armed movement.

Aumentado lauded Erecre’s decision, describing it as a “courageous and meaningful step toward peace, reconciliation, and lasting progress in the province and beyond.”

Erecre had earlier carried a P5.4 million bounty on his capture.

He was arrested on May 7, 2014, in Barangay Bajada, Davao City, by authorities implementing two warrants—one for robbery in a band in Bohol and another for frustrated murder in Negros Occidental. He was reportedly responsible for several atrocities in Central Visayas, including the 1999 ambush-slaying of two military officers in Carmen, Bohol.

He was detained at the Bohol District Jail (BDJ) but was released by court order on September 19, 2014. His partner, Jaron, was also taken into custody at that time pending investigation into her alleged involvement with the rebel movement.

Erecre said he had long observed the government’s peace and development efforts and decided to return to the fold of the law after seeing genuine governance under Aumentado’s administration.

“The biggest factor in my surrender is my trust in Governor Aris,” Erecre said in Cebuano. “My trust in him comes from the good leadership of his father.”

Provincial officials said Erecre and Jaron will undergo the necessary legal processes under the Local Amnesty Program facilitated by the National Amnesty Commission’s Local Amnesty Board as part of their reintegration into mainstream society.

Erecre was arrested in 2014 for robbery and murder but was released by court order. Then he seems to have disappeared until he surrendered this week. Surely there is more to this story than what is in this article. Will he be held accountable for the crimes he committed? Or will he be immediately eligible for amnesty and E-CLIP?

In Aurora 209 former rebels have renounced the insurgency at a formal ceremony.

https://tribune.net.ph/2025/10/30/path-to-peace-aurora-sees-209-former-rebels-renounce-insurgency

In a symbolic turn toward lasting peace, 209 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) publicly renounced their ties to armed conflict during a landmark ceremony in Aurora province on 29 October, marking one of the largest collective shifts toward reintegration in recent years.

The event, organized by the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion and overseen by Brig. Gen. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV, underscored the government’s intensifying push to dismantle decades of insurgency through grassroots collaboration.

Held at a packed agricultural court in Barangay Marikit, the gathering saw former rebels—many accompanied by family members—swear allegiance to the Philippine government. Attendees included representatives from over a dozen national agencies, signaling a unified effort to address the root causes of rebellion: poverty, lack of education, and limited livelihood opportunities.

From Conflict to Community

Brig. Gen. Osias, addressing the crowd, framed the moment as a “reckoning with the past and a bridge to healing.” His speech highlighted the human toll of violence, stressing that families and communities “bear the deepest scars” of conflict. “Your choice today isn’t just about laying down arms—it’s about rebuilding trust and securing futures,” he said, urging the former rebels to channel their resolve into local development.

Retired Brig. Gen. Abraham Claro Casis, representing the national peace process office, echoed the sentiment, calling the mass defection a “death knell” for CPP influence in Aurora. “These individuals aren’t just withdrawing support—they’re reclaiming their voices,” he said.

A Blueprint for Peace

The ceremony anchored the government’s Whole-of-Nation strategy, a policy mandating cooperation between military, civic, and local leaders to resolve conflicts. Key agencies, including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), pledged immediate support through skills training, microloans, and psychosocial services—a direct response to critiques that past reintegration programs lacked sustained economic backing.

Local officials emphasized Aurora’s unique progress: once a CPP stronghold, the province has seen a 70 percent drop in insurgent activity since 2023, attributed to targeted infrastructure projects and intensified community dialogues.

Challenges Ahead

While the event celebrated a milestone, questions linger. Some advocates stress that lasting peace requires addressing land disputes and improving rural access to healthcare—issues repeatedly cited by former rebels as drivers of recruitment. “Surrendering is just the first step,” said a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) field officer speaking anonymously. “The real work is ensuring no one feels compelled to take up arms again.”

The former rebels, now classified as “peace partners,” will undergo debriefing and livelihood training. Their public oath, signed alongside military and civic leaders, signals a rare alignment between grassroots needs and national strategy—a dynamic Aurora’s officials hope will inspire similar turnarounds nationwide.

Why It Matters

Aurora’s success story reflects a broader shift in counterinsurgency tactics, prioritizing inclusion over militarization. With over 1,200 former rebels reintegrated across Central Luzon since 2022, the province’s model offers a template for resolving one of Southeast Asia’s longest-running conflicts—one community at a time.

Apparently the root cause of the rebellion is lack of good governance which means good governance is a counterinsurgency program rather than the natural state of things. 

Anti-insurgency projects in Southern Leyte have been completed. These projects include roads. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1262100

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Southern Leyte provincial office has completed several infrastructure projects under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) in remote areas and former conflict-affected communities in Sogod town.

These projects, implemented in partnership with the local government of Sogod and the Philippine Army’s 14th Infantry Battalion, aim to bring lasting peace and inclusive development to far-flung villages that once faced insurgency challenges.

In its report released on Wednesday, the DILG Southern Leyte provincial office said these projects ensure that residents gain better access to basic services and livelihood opportunities.

Among the completed projects are the farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in Barangays Pancho Villa and SF Mabuhay (Phases 1 and 2). These road networks are expected to spur local economic growth by improving farmers’ access to markets, schools and essential government services.

In Barangay Hipantag, officials inaugurated a PHP5-million FMR and a PHP2.5-million water system project. These are seen to enhance community mobility and provide safe, reliable water to around 280 residents, significantly improving their daily lives.

A PHP2.5-million school building was also completed in Barangay Dagsa, providing students with a better and more conducive learning environment. The project is expected to support the local government’s efforts to strengthen education in remote communities.

Meanwhile, residents of Barangay Pandan will now enjoy the benefits of a PHP2.5-million level 2 potable water supply system, which will supply clean and safe drinking water to about 2,000 residents.

The community likewise received a PHP5-million FMR, helping farmers transport goods more efficiently and improving access to social and economic opportunities.

The DILG Southern Leyte office also turned over newly constructed health stations in Barangays San Juan and Benit, each worth PHP2.5 million. These facilities will serve as accessible medical centers for 785 residents in San Juan and 405 residents in Benit, providing essential health services without the need to travel long distances.

DILG Southern Leyte provincial director Danilo Laguitan said these projects reflect the government’s commitment to inclusive development and peacebuilding in underserved communities.

“These SBDP projects are not just infrastructure —they are symbols of our government’s commitment to fostering peace, progress, and resilience in our GIDAs,” Laguitan said. “With the leadership of Mayor Sheffered Lino S. Tan and the invaluable support of the Philippine Army, we are working hand in hand to create self-reliant, peaceful communities in Southern Leyte.”

He also highlighted that the success of these initiatives demonstrates what unity and good governance can achieve when the government and citizens work together toward a shared vision of peace and prosperity.

“The success of these projects does not end in their construction. It continues through the care and cooperation of the people who benefit from them,” Laguitan said.

The SBDP, a flagship initiative of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, seeks to close development gaps in remote and vulnerable areas by delivering essential infrastructure, improving access to basic services, and addressing the root causes of insurgency.

Proper infrastructure and drinking water are not normal in the Philippines. They are counterinsurgency programs. Meanwhile hundreds of Filipinos die every year because of a lack of clean water. 

Despite a massive typhoon striking the nation the NPA and the AFP engaged in a clash in Eastern Samar. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2135446/1-rebel-killed-in-eastern-samar-clash-amid-tinos-onslaught

As Typhoon Tino battered Eastern Visayas, soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division clashed with communist rebels in the hinterlands of Llorente and Gen. MacArthur towns in Eastern Samar on Monday, resulting in the death of a New People’s Army (NPA) member.

The firefight erupted as troops of the 63rd Infantry Battalion were conducting focused military operations against remnants of the Sub-Regional Committee Sesame under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, a report from the 8th ID, based in Catbalogan City, Samar, said on Thursday.

The slain rebel was identified as Joel Bobonao, also known as ‘Pen’ or ‘Jack’. Recovered from the encounter site were a .45 caliber pistol with ammunition, several firearm magazines, and personal belongings. The rest of the armed group reportedly fled after being outmaneuvered by government forces despite the adverse weather.

Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th ID, commended his troops for their persistence and bravery in maintaining peace and security in the region even under extreme conditions.

“Even as our troops face harsh weather and hazardous terrain, their dedication to protect our people and sustain peace in Eastern Visayas remains unwavering,” Orio said in a statement. “This encounter shows that the remaining CPP-NPA members in the region are losing community support.”

The 8th ID reiterated its call for remaining members of the NPA to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP to reintegrate into society.

Meanwhile, the division said its units remain on heightened alert for both internal security operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts amid Typhoon Tino.

If the NPA are willing to fight during a typhoon then they are willing to fight anytime. They remain a threat.