Insurgency: Army Renews Call

Islamic terror attacks are ramping up in the South due to the Army's operations in the region. There were four attacks in one weekend alone. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2267156/army-links-fresh-maguindanao-attacks-to-antiterror-operations

Four attacks against Armed Forces of the Philippines units in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur over the weekend may have been retaliatory actions by Islamic State-inspired militants and other lawless groups following recent government offensives, military and police officials said on Monday.

The latest attacks came days after the implementation of the election gun ban in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which took effect on July 16 ahead of the region’s first parliamentary elections on Sept. 14.

At around 7 p.m. on Sunday, about 15 armed men opened fire on the detachment of the Army’s 12th Mechanized Company, 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, in Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte.

Government troops returned fire, triggering a 20-minute firefight before the attackers retreated.

Almost simultaneously, unidentified men planted an improvised explosive device near a Truck Armored Vehicle of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion assigned to the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion detachment in Barangay Linantangan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur.

Lt. Col. Ronald Suscano, spokesperson for the Army’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division (6ID), said no soldiers were injured in either attack.

Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, said members of the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were likely behind the assaults.

“This is in retaliation for the series of successful military campaigns against local terrorists, including the death of BIFF commander Bungos,” Cagara said.

Bungos, whose real name was Esmael Abubakar, was killed during a joint military and police operation in Barangay Calzada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, on July 5.

Police Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, director of the Police Regional Office-BARMM, echoed the military’s assessment, saying the attacks appeared to be acts of vengeance by terrorist and criminal groups targeted in ongoing security operations.

“The attacks were in retaliation by lawless groups for the continuing pursuit operations being conducted by the military and police,” Abecia said.

Following the attacks, Suscano said all Army units in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur had been placed on heightened alert.

The two incidents on Sunday brought to four the number of attacks against military forces in the Maguindanao provinces since the election gun ban took effect.

On Saturday morning, suspects hurled a hand grenade at an Army convoy in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, wounding two soldiers and three civilians.

Later that evening, another suspect threw a hand grenade into the detachment of Charlie Company, 7th Infantry Battalion, in Barangay Macaguiling, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. No one was injured in the blast.

The Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters appear to be behind the attacks because they are the group being targeted in recent operations. One of these operations resulted in the arrest of a BIFF bomb maker. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1279998

A wanted person linked to the massacre of 44 elite police force in 2015 and the ambush of police officers that killed five in Maguindanao del Sur earlier this year was arrested on Tuesday by joint police and military forces, police said.

Colonel Michael John Mangahis, Maguindanao del Sur police provincial director, on Wednesday identified the suspect as Muslimin Amilil, 45, an alleged bomb maker of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah Islamiya (DI) local terror groups.

“He did not resist arrest when lawmen presented him with various arrest warrants for murder and frustrated murder charges,” Mangahis said in a statement.

Amilil, a bomb-making student of the slain Malaysian terrorist Zulkipli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, and the slain DI leader Basit Usman, was arrested in his hideout in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, the same area where 44 Special Action Force personnel were killed in a 2015 operation to arrest Marwan.

Mangahis said Amilil served as the senior adviser to the Panenekelan Criminal Gang, an armed group operating in Maguindanao del Sur and involved in the ambush of police officers in Shariff Aguak last March, which killed five policemen and wounded three others.

Mangahis said Amilil identified himself as affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 128th Base Command. Amilil has warrants issued by local courts for numerous criminal cases, including murder, frustrated murder, robbery, attempted murder, and double murder.

“Criminals must be brought to justice at all costs. Peace and order are non‑negotiable, and the rule of law is absolute — protecting the oppressed and holding accountable those who sow violence,” Mangahis said.

In a separate operation, police and members of the 34th Infantry Battalion arrested Amilil’s wife, Aiza Awab Amilil, in the nearby town of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, also in Maguindanao del Sur.

Seized from her house were five assault rifles, improvised bombs, and ammunition.

Amilil is now detained at the Mamasapano police detention facility, while his wife is held at the Shariff Saydona Mustapha police station lock-up cell.

This must be the first terrorist responsible for the deaths of the SAF 44 who has been arrested. It is worth of being headline news and yet this small blurb on PNA is all there is. Where are the people who were calling for justice for the SAF 44 for the past decade?

In Albay an NPA leader was killed in a clash once more belying the AFP's declaration the NPA is leaderless. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2267545/rebel-leader-killed-in-albay-clash

An alleged leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed, and four high-powered firearms were seized, in one of two separate encounters between government troops and communist rebels in Pio Duran, Albay. 

The Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion, operating under the 901st Infantry Brigade, battled armed groups in separate firefights in Barangays Matanglad and Buyo on Friday, July 18, as part of ongoing security operations against the remaining communist insurgents in the province.

Troops recovered four high-powered firearms and other war materiel after the encounters.

Brig. Gen. Emil Cruz, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, identified the fatality as Nelson Nuyda, alias “Chubby,” who was allegedly a committee member of KLG1, SRC3, BRPC.

“The success of this operation shows the government’s sustained campaign against the communist terrorist group. We will continue our operations until the remaining NPA members in Albay are neutralized,” Cruz said in a statement.

He also urged the remaining NPA members to surrender and begin peaceful lives with their families.

Two days later a soldier was killed in a clash in Abra. 

https://pia.gov.ph/news/phil-army-renews-call-for-remaining-npas-to-surrender-honors-fallen-kalinga-soldier/

The Philippine Army has renewed its call for members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender peacefully following the death of a Kalinga soldier during a recent encounter with suspected members of the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) in Abra.

It called on remaining NPA members to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law, saying the government has programs available to support those who choose to surrender and reintegrate into their communities.

“To our fellow NPA members, it is painful that our fellow Filipinos are dying on both sides. What we want is peace, so I encourage you, comrades, to come down,” said 503rd Infantry Brigade (503Bde) Commander Brigadier General Rhenante Salvador.

“We have many projects in the government that can help you. We are ensuring that your security will be good during your descent. Nothing will happen to you, as long as you come forward, put down your weapons, and join us in our quest for peace here in the Cordillera,” he added.

Salvador led the giving of military honors for Private First Class Drexler Gumayat of San Pablo, Bulo, Tabuk City, when his remains arrived at the 503Bde headquarters in Calanan, Tabuk, on July 21, 2026.

Gumayat's family joined Army personnel in receiving his remains before they were escorted to their home for the wake and final tribute.

A member of the 50th Infantry Battalion (50IB), Gumayat was killed during an encounter on July 20 in Tineg, Abra, while government troops were conducting pursuit operations against around 10 armed individuals believed by the military to be remnants of the ICRC.

The encounter followed an earlier clash on July 19 in Sitio Ambalag, Barangay Lan-ag, Lacub, Abra, where two soldiers were wounded, including Private First Class Jake Awingan of Pasil, Kalinga, who sustained minor injuries.

Salvador paid tribute to Gumayat, describing him as a hero who sacrificed his life while serving communities in Abra.

“A big salute to Drexler because he sacrificed his entire 50th IB during those hours,” Salvador said.

He said Gumayat’s dedication to service reflected his commitment to peace despite being assigned outside his home province.

“Drexler is a hero because he fought for peace. He is not from Abra, but he chose to serve the people of Abra to help achieve the peace that the province is striving for. He is a hero for all of us,” he added.

The brigade commander also extended his condolences to the Gumayat family and assured them of the Army’s continued support.

The Philippine Army said pursuit and clearing operations remain ongoing in the area to ensure the safety of nearby communities.

Authorities have yet to release information regarding possible casualties from the armed group or the recovery of firearms and other war material.

A day before that two soldiers were wounded in clashes. The AFP has renewed its call for the remaining NPA members to surrender. But how many are left?

In Leyte only 5 cities have yet to attain insurgency-free status. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1280011

Five local government units (LGUs) in Leyte province have yet to be declared under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), according to the Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion (IB).

Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, 93rd IB commander, said in an interview on Wednesday that out of the 43 LGUs in Leyte province, only Tacloban City, Baybay City and the towns of Carigara, Jaro, and Albuera have yet to receive SIPSC declarations.

Despite this, Sayson expressed confidence that the remaining areas would soon attain the status.

"We have a very bright future for our beloved province, specifically the three provinces, because it is only a matter of time before we declare the entire province of Leyte insurgency-free," he said.

Sayson said the military remains committed to ending the insurgency in the area.

"With God's permission, may they all surrender, or if we encounter them again, we hope they will choose to surrender. We have a strong resolve to end this insurgency so that the whole province will be declared insurgency-free," he added.

The army unit, based in Kananga, Leyte, has operational jurisdiction over Leyte, Biliran and Southern Leyte.

Biliran was declared insurgency-free in September 2024, while Southern Leyte attained SIPSC status in May 2026.

Sayson said there are no longer any monitored members of the New People's Army (NPA) who originated from Leyte. However, intelligence reports indicate that 12 remaining rebels continue to operate across Leyte Island and Biliran.

SIPSC is a formal security designation granted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to cities, municipalities, or provinces that have met established peace and security benchmarks.

The declaration signifies that insurgent threats have been neutralized, local armed conflict has been reduced to manageable levels, and peace and order have significantly improved.

The designation is expected to boost investor confidence, encourage tourism, and support infrastructure development. It also allows the AFP to shift its primary focus from internal security operations to territorial defense, while the PNP assumes the lead role in maintaining peace and order.

That is quite a feat to attempt and perhaps will be achieved soon.