Another region has been declared by the AFP to be in a state of stable internal peace and security. This time it's the entire Cordillera Administrative Region.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1284272 |
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID), has declared the entire Cordillera Administrative Region under a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS), citing a significant reduction in communist insurgent forces and their capability to conduct violence.
The declaration was made during Thursday’s full council meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council here.
Maj. Gen. Gulliver Señires, 5ID commander, said the declaration means threat groups in the region no longer have the capability to organize or conduct violent activities based on established criteria.
“The declaration of state of stable internal peace and security in the Cordillera signifies that our threat groups, based on criteria, they are incapable of organizing, they are incapable of conducting violent activities and we have significantly reduced their number,” Señires said in an interview on the sidelines of the meeting.
As of July, authorities had accounted for 12 remnants of the New People’s Army in the region, most of whom are cadres and remain in hiding for fear of arrest, he said.
Señires said the government continues to offer the remaining rebels an opportunity to surrender their firearms and return to civilian life.
“They can turn away from their violent intentions against the government,” he said.
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, chairperson of the Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council, said the declaration could strengthen residents’ sense of safety and security, particularly in areas that had experienced insurgency.
“They will not anymore be afraid especially on insurgency which is high in the provinces where it is felt to the point that by 6 or 7 p.m. they do not go out and stay locked in their homes,” Magalong said in a separate interview.
He recalled that three or four decades ago, the Cordillera was considered one of the country’s strategic areas for communist insurgency.
“Now, armed groups have been decimated unlike before when they used to be thousands in number,” he said.
Magalong said the declaration could help the region access additional development funding and infrastructure projects.
Arnold Ferdinand Bajarin, operations officer of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said the SSIPS declaration marks the beginning of continued government support for the region.
“This is what Cordillera has been clamoring for to obtain the government’s support. This is not the end of the support of the government but the start,” Bajarin said.
He cited the National Action Plan for Development 2025-2028, which provides support for areas declared under SSIPS.
Bajarin said the Cordillera is the ninth region nationwide and the sixth this year to receive the declaration.
He said the declaration would allow areas that have not received barangay development programs to be included in government initiatives.
Among the proposed projects is infrastructure development along the tri-boundary area of Kalinga, Abra and Mountain Province.
This does not mean the area is insurgency free. In fact there are allegedly only 12 NPA rebels left. This declaration means the NPA "are incapable of organizing, they are incapable of conducting violent activities and we have significantly reduced their number."
In tow places, each where the NPA has been significantly diminished, the rebels have recently attempted a comeback. First in Caraga.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/13/afp-foils-npa-bid-to-reestablish-foothold-in-caraga-four-rebels-killed-three-surrender |
Government troops thwarted an attempt by New People’s Army (NPA) remnants from Northern Mindanao to reestablish a foothold in the Caraga Region, resulting in the neutralization of four communist rebels, the surrender of three others, and the recovery of six high-powered firearms.
The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division said the operation was carried out by troops of the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade in Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, on Sept. 12.
The encounters began at around 5:30 a.m. when troops of the 1st Special Forces Battalion engaged the NPA’s Headquarters Force Neo of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), reportedly led by Julia Cagadas alias Rheda/Toyang/Yoko/Kayuka, the NCMRC secretary.
A second encounter occurred at around 12:20 p.m. involving troops of the 8th Infantry Battalion. Pursuit operations by the 8th Infantry Battalion and Special Forces teams later resulted in the neutralization of four NPA members, including Cagadas.
The other fatalities were identified as Jonny Almonte Lindayo alias Kikoy/Bugkoy; Rochamae Bihag alias Maki, an NCMRC executive committee member; and Gerald Basahon alias Doydoy, a member of Squad 2, Headquarters Force Neo.
Three NPA members also surrendered during the operation. They were identified as Cherelyn Cuarisma Magsayo alias Lian; Marilyn D. Taquin alias Mayumi/Mayang; and Angelito Tahal Torres alias Erin.
Brig. Gen. Seigfred C. Tubalado, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the operation demonstrated the brigade’s capability to prevent displaced armed elements from penetrating previously cleared areas and threatening the peace and security gains in Caraga.
Maj. Gen. Marion T. Angcao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said the operation reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to protecting communities and preventing armed groups from regaining a foothold in the region.
Angcao also stressed that the government’s response must go beyond military operations, noting that individuals drawn into the armed struggle may have been recruited, influenced, or exploited.
“With the threat contained, we must also look beyond the battlefield and help the families affected by this conflict,” Angcao said, emphasizing the need to prevent further recruitment and break the cycle of violence.
The 4ID said it will remain vigilant against attempts by armed groups to reestablish their presence in Caraga while continuing to support peace and development efforts in its area of operations.
Caraga attained a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS) earlier this year in June, 2026. What good is that declaration if the rebellion is still lurking in the shadows?
Likewise Agudan del Sur also was declared to be SSIPS this year in June, 2026. Yet, the Army engaged in a firefight with rebels attempting to reestablish a foothold in the region.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2307034/army-civilian-tips-thwart-npa-bid-to-establish-foothold-in-agusan |
The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said information from residents helped government forces respond to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA), leading to encounters in Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, last Sept. 10.
The Joint Task Force Diamond and the 4ID said the incident highlighted the role of communities under the government’s Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) framework in identifying emerging threats and working with authorities to protect peace and security.
The encounters involved troops from the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade, including the 1st Special Forces Battalion and 8th Infantry Battalion, during operations against Headquarters Force Neo of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
The military reported that four NPA rebels were killed, three others surrendered, and six high-powered firearms were recovered during a series of encounters in Barangay Bakingking from September 10 to 12.
Among those killed was Julia Cagadas, also known by the aliases Rheda, Toyang, Yoko, and Kayuka, whom the Army identified as secretary of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
The military also identified the other fatalities as Jonny Almonte Lindayo, alias Kikoy/Bugkoy; Rochamae Bihag, alias Maki; and Gerald Basahon, alias Doydoy.
The Communist Party of the Philippines–North Central Mindanao Region later confirmed the deaths of the four individuals and released its own account identifying them as members of its organization.
One of those killed was a top leader.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2304184/top-npa-leader-3-others-slain-in-agusan-del-sur-clash |
A high-ranking communist rebel leader and three other guerrillas were killed in an armed clash with government troops in Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, the military reported Saturday.
The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division identified one of the four slain Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) as Julia Cagadas, alias “Rheda,” who serves as the secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and a top New People’s Army leader in Region 10.
Maj. Gen. Marion T. Angcao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, is scheduled to lead a press conference on Sunday, September 13, at the 403rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, to disclose further operational details surrounding the encounter.
Each of these incidents proves the AFP is wrong in not only saying the NPA is leaderless but that they also pose little to no threat.
Rebels also continue to surrender.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2306707/8-ex-npa-rebels-surrender-in-northern-samar |
Eight former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities in Northern Samar and turned over 13 high-powered firearms.
The Philippine Army described this development as another significant development in its campaign against communist insurgency in the province.
The 8th Infantry Division (8ID), based in Catbalogan City, Samar, said the eight—identified only by their aliases Yanyan, Boy, Jamal, Angela, Junjun, Yana, Tanggol and Sigma—decided to abandon the armed struggle and return to civilian life through government reintegration programs.
Northern Samar has long been a major area of NPA activity in Eastern Visayas and has been described by the military as the “last bastion” of insurgency in the region. In July, nine other former NPA members surrendered in Las Navas, also in Northern Samar.
The latest surrender, announced by the 8ID on Sept. 17, came as the military reported continuing operations against remaining armed groups in the region.
According to the Army, the surrendered firearms included 13 high-powered weapons. It said the surrender of the eight former rebels and the recovery of their firearms would reduce the NPA’s capability to operate and threaten communities.
The former rebels may avail themselves of government assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) and the government’s amnesty program, subject to eligibility requirements and applicable laws.
The programs provide various forms of assistance, including livelihood and financial support, firearms remuneration, skills training, education and health services, aimed at helping former rebels return to civilian life.In July, the government released more than P5.35 million in assistance to 103 former rebels and former supporters in Samar provinces.
The latest surrender was reported days after a ranking NPA leader was killed in an encounter with government troops in Baybay City, Leyte.
The Army identified Erwin Murillo Maceda, alias “Romnick,” as vice team leader 1 of Island Committee Levox under the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee. He was killed during a brief firefight on Sept. 8 in the hinterlands of Barangay Caridad after soldiers responded to information about armed men allegedly collecting money and food from residents. An M16 rifle was recovered from the encounter site, according to the military.
These eight will certainly be receiving money and benefits from E-CLIP.
The NTF-ELCAC has made a strange statement. Actually, it's more of a confirmatory statement that good governance is being used as a counter-insurgency program.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1283929 |
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will focus on providing infrastructure and basic services to communities emerging from decades of armed conflict.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Danilo Pamonag said in a news release over the weekend that he would work with national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations and communities to support the development of former conflict areas.
"The thrust places greater emphasis on ensuring that communities emerging from decades of armed conflict do not simply remain peaceful, but are provided with the infrastructure, basic services, livelihood opportunities and responsive governance necessary to prosper," the NTF-ELCAC said.
The task force said Pamonag's assumption of office "marks a renewed push to further strengthen coordination and cooperation across government and with communities as the country's campaign against communist insurgency increasingly moves toward consolidating hard-won peace gains through governance and development."
Among the programs under the task force is the Barangay Development Program, which provides infrastructure and basic services to geographically isolated and formerly conflict-affected communities.
Projects include farm-to-market roads, water systems, electrification, health facilities and schools, which the government says are intended to improve access to public services and economic opportunities.
A retired and bemedaled Army lieutenant general and former Department of Social Welfare and Development undersecretary, Pamonag took his oath before Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Sept. 10, replacing Ernesto Torres Jr.
This should be par for the course. It should have been par for he course for the past few decades if not centuries. Yet, the government has largely left the people to defend themselves until recently.
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