Insurgency: Bounty Up For Top NPA Leader

In ironic twist the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF, has declared the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) and the NPA as persona non grata. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/milf-declares-di-mg-npa-persona-non-grata-in-lanao-del-norte

TWO Base Commands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have declared the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG), Sub-Regional Committee 5 of the New People’s Army (NPA), and other lawless groups as persona non grata within their respective areas of influence in Lanao del Norte province.

The 1st Infantry Division (1ID) said in a statement on Friday, June 26, 2026, the declarations were made during separate ceremonies by the 123rd and 127th Base Commands of the MILF.

The 123rd Base Command headed by Hadji Nor Dipatuan, issued the declaration at its headquarters in Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte on Tuesday, June 23 while the 127th Base Command led by Aleem Ansary Murad on May 23, also at their headquarters in Munai of the same province.

The 1ID said that the 44th Infantry Battalion (44IB) headed by Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Damonsong facilitated the conduct of the separate ceremonies. The 44IB is under the operational supervision of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade led by Colonel Bernardo Taqueban.

The 1ID said the two activities were conducted in close collaboration with MILF leaders, local government units, peace mechanisms, and other key stakeholders. 

The ceremonies culminated in the signing of resolutions and a Pledge of Commitment to Peace, symbolizing a united stand in preserving peace, protecting communities, and supporting sustainable development, according to the 1ID.

The two events gathered MILF leaders, representatives from peace mechanisms, local chief executives, community leaders, and members of the Philippine National Police, reflecting broad-based support for peacebuilding and security efforts in the province.

“These twin declarations represent a significant milestone in strengthening community resilience against threats posed by terrorist and lawless groups,” the 1ID said in a statement. 

“More importantly, they highlight the enduring partnership among the MILF, local government units, peace stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in safeguarding the gains of the peace process,” the 1ID added.

The collective rejection on the presence and influence of violent extremist groups, the people and leaders of Lanao del Norte have sent a clear and powerful message: peace, stability, and progress will prevail over fear, violence, and division. 

The 1ID said that the initiative further reinforces the shared commitment of all stakeholders to foster a secure environment where communities can thrive and future generations can prosper.

What's ironic is the MILF is itself a terrorist group. Sure, they have a ceasefire with the government and were gifted a huge section of Mindanao to govern now known as the BARMM. However the MILF has made it quite clear to its followers they have not surrendered. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1162067/milfs-murad-decommissioning-is-not-surrender

“We have not given up on our struggle.” 

“We are not surrendering. Decommissioning is not tantamount to surrendering,” said Ebrahim, who is also Chief Minister of the interim Bangsamoro government. 

“I would like to emphasize that the decommissioning doesn’t mean we have given up on what we used to fight for,” Ebrahim emphasized.

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2019/09/martial-law-insurgent-free.html

What the Moro people ultimately want is to break away from the Philippines and form their own sovereign nation. They do not consider themselves to be Filipinos. Here is my analysis from 2018:

Don't forget the Muslims DO NOT want to be a part of the Philippines. They objected to a provision that called them citizens of the Republic of the Philippines.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/996061/house-oks-bbl-bill-but-senate-introduces-contentious-changes

 “Most [of the original BBL provisions] were contentious,” said Sen. Ralph Recto who, along with Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, introduced most of the amendments. 

“[Its] framework to begin with is forming a state, which is unconstitutional, until we adopt a federal form of government,” Recto said. 

Drilon successfully moved for the inclusion of a provision reiterating “that the Bangsamoro people are citizens of the Republic of the Philippines.” Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, the bill sponsor, said this was opposed by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

Do you understand now? All those Muslims and traitors pushing hard for the BBL are pushing for a sovereign Islamic state. Anything less is unacceptable. They do not want to be citizens of the Philippines. That means these solons in the House from Mindanao are either lying or are misinformed about the intent of the BTC which crafted the original BBL bill.

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2018/07/martial-law-dark-clouds.html

So, the fact that one terrorist group looking to control a portion of the Philippines has declared persona non grata two other terrorist groups looking to control the Philippines is ridiculous. 

Apparently there is only one remaining top leader of the New People’s Army’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee. The military is offering a huge reward for his capture. 

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/06/27/p53-m-bounty-up-for-top-npa-leader

The military has offered a P5.3-million reward for information leading to the capture of the remaining top leader of the New People’s Army’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, who is now the subject of intensified military operations along the Bukidnon-Surigao del Sur boundary.

Lt. Col. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID), identified the target as regional secretary Julia “Ka Reda” Cagadas, who carries a P5.3-million bounty.

Martinez said government troops are pursuing the remaining insurgents following a series of encounters that resulted in the death of a ranking rebel leader last Sunday.

He noted that a single NPA guerrilla front usually consists of 35 to 63 armed combatants, excluding members of the Milisya ng Bayan who serve as force multipliers.

Brig. Gen. Seigfred C. Tubalado, commander of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade, said military operations are focused on the remaining two leaders and 15 members of the NCMRC operating along the boundaries of Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur.

It also seems he is leading upwards of 63 rebels. That's not a small number. Will one of them turn him in? What if he turns himself in? Can he claim the reward?

In Masbate 5 rebels surrendered and gave up their arms. They also lead the AFP to another arms cache. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2254632/5-npa-rebels-surrender-in-masbate-arms-cache-recovered

Five alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to government forces on Sunday in Palanas, Masbate, authorities said.

Col. Angelo Lutera, commander of the Army’s 903rd Infantry Brigade, told the Inquirer in a Viber message on Monday that the group included the vice commanding officer and a squad leader of an NPA unit operating in the province.

“Upon their surrender, they turned over their firearms, including a Bushmaster rifle, a shotgun, and a .38-caliber revolver,” he said.

Lutera said the former rebels also led soldiers to an arms cache where they recovered 250 rounds of M16 ammunition, 90 rounds of M14 ammunition, 22 improvised explosive device (IED) Claymore anti-personnel mines, two anti-tank IEDs, 64 improvised anti-personnel mines locally known as bugas-bugas, four rifle grenades, 36 M14 magazines, 10 AK-47 magazines, two M16 magazines, and assorted explosive components.

He added that the Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion separately recovered 69 magazines and 367 rounds of M16 ammunition in Placer, Masbate, during a combat operation on Saturday.

Lutera said the recent surrenders and recovery of firearms “reflect declining support for the communist insurgency in Masbate.”

The five former rebels are undergoing custodial debriefing before being enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which assists former members of communist insurgent groups who return to the fold of the law, he added.

Maj. Gen. Aldwine Almase, commander of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, urged remaining insurgents to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s reintegration programs.

“Our soldiers remain ready to assist them in rebuilding their lives through the government’s reintegration programs,” Almase said.

Two questions these reports never answer are: How old are these weapons and how were they obtained? 

The insurgency is weakening in Southern Luzon Command and the AFP credits their peace strategy.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/29/afp-chief-credits-solcoms-peace-strategy-with-weakening-insurgents-in-southern-luzon

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. commended the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) for helping weaken communist insurgents in the region through its “Road to Peace in Southern Luzon” campaign.

The Road to Peace in Southern Luzon is SOLCOM's internal security operations exit strategy, which combines military operations with community development and reintegration efforts.

In a statement on Monday, June 29, the AFP said Brawner urged troops to protect the gains achieved in internal security in Southern Luzon through years of cooperation among the military, government agencies, local government units, and communities.

“These gains were made possible through the whole-of-nation approach and strong partnerships with government agencies, local government units, and communities,” he said.

Over the weekend, Brawner led the celebration of SOLCOM's 39th founding anniversary at Camp Guillermo Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon. He conferred awards on outstanding military personnel and inspected firearms recovered during military operations.

He also urged soldiers to remain committed to protecting the people and preserving the peace achieved across Southern Luzon.

Lt. Gen. Cerilo C. Balaoro Jr., commander of SOLCOM, said the Road to Peace in Southern Luzon campaign helped pave the way for the declaration of Calabarzon (Region 4A), which covers Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, as a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) Region.

SIPS status is a designation given by the national government to a province or region that has achieved a stable security environment after significantly reducing or eliminating the local communist insurgency.

The command said two provinces in Mimaropa (Region 4B) have also attained SIPS status, while Catanduanes remains the only SIPS province in the Bicol Region (Region 5). Security operations and development programs continue in the remaining provinces.

SOLCOM said sustained operations dismantled six sub-regional committees and one horizontal platoon of communist groups, reducing their organizational structure and operational capability in Southern Luzon.

SOLCOM also reported that 1,673 former rebels were reintegrated through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The command said military operations resulted in 83 armed encounters, the neutralization of 56 communist group members, the recovery of 482 firearms, the surrender of 224 New People's Army (NPA) regulars and militia members, and the withdrawal of support from 553 members and supporters of underground mass organizations.

“Our greatest legacy is not measured solely by the operations we have conducted, but by the communities that have regained hope, the lives that have been transformed, and the enduring peace we have built together,” Balaoro said.

“Through the Road to Peace in Southern Luzon, we will continue to strengthen partnerships, empower communities, and preserve the gains of peace for future generations,” he added.

The AFP has been shifting its focus from internal security operations against communist insurgents and local terrorist groups to external defense in response to evolving security challenges, particularly those involving the country's territorial and maritime interests.

Lots of generalities and back-patting in that article but it seems they are thanking the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for the gains. Rebels surrender and get money, housing, and other assistance instead of facing justice for any crimes they may have committed in the name of the revolution. 

Insurgency: Mistaken as NPA

The recent deaths of two NPA leaders in combat has weakened the insurgency in Bukidon says the Army. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2250762/army-deaths-of-rebel-leaders-weaken-npa-forces-in-bukidnon

Two key leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) were killed in separate clashes with government troops in Bukidnon, “further weakening” the forces of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the area, the military said.

Brig. Gen. Seigfred Tubalado, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, identified the fatalities as Edward Pantandon, alias “Wando” and Romeo Manpinsahan, alias “Kakoy” and “Yuman,” who were killed on June 20 and 21, respectively.

The first encounter between troops from the 1st Special Forces Battalion and NPA rebels erupted around 11 p.m. on June 20 in Sitio Tagiptip, Barangay Iba, Cabanglasan town.

The operation resulted in the death of Pantandon, team leader of Headquarters Force NEO under the NCMRC, and the seizure of an M16 rifle.

Government troops tracked the same group to Sitio Nalumosan, Barangay Silae, Malaybalay City.

At 11:30 a.m. on June 21, soldiers from the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) engaged in another clash that left Manpinsahan dead.

Troops also recovered two additional high-powered firearms, magazines, ammunition and personal belongings from the encounter site.

The operations formed part of intensified military efforts to dismantle the remaining armed units of communist rebels operating in Northern Mindanao, Tubalado said.

He noted that the operations reflect the continued weakening of the NCMRC’s armed capability as government forces maintain pressure against remaining rebel units in the region.

Lieutenant Col. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division, said Manpinsahan’s death “is a definitive victory for peace, but more importantly, it is long-awaited justice served to the communities of Bukidnon.”

“For years, this notorious leader and his remnants exploited, threatened and victimized innocent civilians and local livelihoods across the province; today, those families can finally breathe easier knowing that accountability has been delivered,” Martinez told the Inquirer on Monday.

In a text message, Martinez said that troops from the 8IB, which is under the 403rd Infantry Brigade, launched a focused military operation after receiving information from concerned civilians.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, the NPA has not issued a statement on the incidents.

Maj. Gen. Marion Angcao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said the military remains committed to preventing the resurgence of communist insurgency activities and maintaining security in Bukidnon and neighboring provinces.

The bodies of the slain rebels were brought to a funeral parlor, while pursuit operations against remaining NPA leaders, including a certain alias “Ka Reda,” are ongoing.

Supporting units included personnel from the 8IB Battalion, 26th Infantry Battalion, 41st and 42nd Division Reconnaissance Companies, artillery units from the 4th and 7th Field Artillery Battalions, and intelligence elements of the 4th Infantry Division.

It is doubtful the NPA will admit this as a setback. It is likely new leadership has already been chosen to replace them. 

The Caraga region has recently been declared insurgency-free and yet the Army "expects complete cessation of active communist rebel activities."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1277811

The Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) expects complete cessation of active communist rebel activities within its Areas of Responsibility (AOR) following the recent declaration of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) in Caraga Region.

4ID commander Maj. Gen. Marion Angcao said SIPS demonstrates an interagency mechanism to coordinate with communities that would yield remnants of the New People's Army (NPA) either through military operations or surrenders.

"Following the successful declaration of SIPS across the entire Caraga Region, we are determined to sustain the momentum of our peace efforts in Northern Mindanao," he said in an interview.

SIPS is an official designation conferred by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to a municipality, province, or region, certifying that NPA operations have been neutralized to foster secure and progressive communities.

On June 18, Caraga Region, one of 4ID's AORs, was formally declared under SIPS.

On Sunday, June 21, troops from the 1st Special Forces Battalion and the 8th Infantry Battalion encountered NPA combatants in Bukidnon province, resulting in two rebel deaths.

In Sitio Tagiptip, Barangay Iba, Cabanglasan town, the slain rebel was identified as Edward Pantandon. In Sitio Nalumosan, Barangay Silae, Malaybalay City, a ranking NPA combatant identified as Romeo Manpinsahan (alias Kakoy), commanding officer of Headquarters Force NEO under the NPA's North Central Mindanao Command, was killed. Three high-powered firearms were also recovered.

Shouldn't "complete cessation of active communist rebel activities" be the criteria for an area being declared insurgency-free?  Well, no because the AFP admits there will never be zero insurgents.

Año admitted insurgency cannot be totally eliminated, but he believes the issue may be brought down to a negligible point.

“While we may not be able to attain this zero insurgents, but at least reduced to an irrelevant number that will not cause concern for peace and order,” he said.

“They will become isolated and just become bandits, because of lost ideology and non-support from the people,” he projected.

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2023/09/insurgency-communist-insurgency-to-end.html

But, then again:

“Insurgency-free”, according to Luga, means that they have received no more reports of armed men in the province. 

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2019/09/martial-law-insurgent-free.html

That definition is crucial to understanding how the AFP classifies these areas. Insurgency-free does not mean insurgency-free.

In the very same city where the AFP neutralized NPA commander Kakoy they also killed a Lumad woman they mistook for an NPA rebel. 

https://www.bulatlat.com/2026/06/20/mistaken-as-npa-soldiers-kill-lumad-woman-in-bukidnon/

Indigenous people’s organizations denounced the killing of a Lumad woman after the military admittedly mistook her and her husband as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Mahayag, Barangay Saint Peter, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on June 15.

The slain victim was identified as Nenita Buscada. Her husband was reportedly wounded and currently recuperating in a hospital.

For a network of Indigenous women’s organizations, the incident was not a simple mistake or misencounter but a violation of the rights of civilians amid armed conflict under international humanitarian law (IHL).

“The apology of Lt. Col. Arnold Bautista, commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion, was not enough. These words were pointless in front of a life that was taken, families bereaved, and communities victimized by militarization,” Kim Falyao, national coordinator of Bai Indigenous Women’s Network, said in a statement in Filipino.

Bautista said in an interview with Bombo Radyo Malaybalay that soldiers at a military detachment in the area went down as part of their relieving assignment when they faced the couple. He claimed that the soldiers saw a pistol belonging to one of them and they opened fire.

The military official who said that they have a goal to end the insurgency in the area in June 2026 stressed that some of the troops involved were victims of an NPA ambush in the same area in 2024 where soldiers got killed.

A netizen who introduced herself as Buscada’s relative commented in the same interview posted on Facebook and called for justice, saying that the couple reportedly went to the forested area just to gather wood and sell them to buy school supplies for their children.

Bulatlat reached out to the supposed relative on June 18 but there was no response as of this writing.

Datu Janjan Lailay, Buscada’s relative, told XFM Bukidnon in an interview that the initial discussion was about forwarding the case under their Tribal Justice System since the incident took place within their ancestral land. He ensured that there would be a dialogue to achieve justice.

Lailay said that Buscada was an active participant in the counterinsurgency program and helped organize women in their community. He added that the victim’s sons are members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), an auxiliary force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The Bai Indigenous Women’s Network said that the demand for justice does not end with the military’s apology. 

The Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology Indigenous People Student Advocates (MIPSA) called for an immediate, transparent, impartial, and independent investigation into the killing, adding that it should not be controlled solely by the AFP.

“We also call for the immediate protection of the victim’s family and community from intimidation, harassment, or pressure while the investigation is ongoing,” MIPSA said in a statement.

The Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Katribu), an alliance of Indigenous people’s organizations, said that the military should be held accountable for reckless shooting at civilians.

This story is only to be found on Bulatlat.com, a website which was blocked by the government because they claimed it of being affiliated with terrorists.

The list also includes websites of progressive groups and independent media such as Bulatlat.

“They have established a pervasive online presence through their websites that they continually use to publish propaganda and misinformation campaigns in order to malign the Philippine government, recruit new members, and to solicit funds from local and international sources,” Esperon said in his letter to Cordoba.

“In this regard, may we request the NTC to issue legal instruments to order Philippine internet service providers to block access to the following websites affiliated to and are supporting these terrorist and terrorist organizations,” he added.

The list also includes websites of progressive groups and independent media such as Bulatlat, which said that the move “sets a dangerous precedent for independent journalism in the Philippines.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1614457/ntc-orders-blocking-of-websites-affiliated-to-supporting-terrorist-organizations

The decision was eventually overturned by the courts. 

The NPA has killed another civilian claiming him to be a military asset. 

https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/blog/npa-claims-killing-of-alleged-negros-military-asset

The New People’s Army claimed responsibility for the June 16 killing of a 54-year-old man alleged to be a military asset in Negros Occidental.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command, in a statement, said it killed the man identified only as Henry.

According to a police report citing a village chief’s statement, the barangay official learned of the incident shortly after it happened and urged the victim’s family to report it to police for investigation.

The family refused, citing safety concerns, and instead immediately buried the victim’s remains after the incident.

The barangay official told police the killing happened in Sitio Carnawan, Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan, not in Barangay Makilignit, Isabela, as initially reported.

He said a river serves as the boundary between Barangay Makilignit and Barangay Amontay.

The Isabela Municipal Police Station relayed the information it gathered to the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station.

Binalbagan police, however, said they have yet to confirm whether the killing happened within their jurisdiction.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command, through spokesperson JB Regalado, said Henry had previously surrendered to its revolutionary court but later allegedly became involved in crimes.

The group warned that those who continue to commit crimes would face punishment.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has waged a decadeslong insurgency against the government.

Add him to the long list of alleged military assets being killed in Negros. 

Insurgency: Couple Shot Dead

The AFP has released another update and the number of Reds neutralized this year. Last time it was 654 between January 1st and May 21st. This time the number is only slightly different. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1277415

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said a total of 709 New People's Army (NPA) communist insurgents and their allies were neutralized from Jan. 1 to June 11 this year.

"Neutralized" is a military term which refers to the surrender, capture or killing of enemy troops.

In an interview with reporters late Tuesday afternoon, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said this can be broken down into 621 surrendered, 31 arrested and 57 killed in various military operations nationwide.

In the same period, Padilla said 503 assorted firearms were either captured or surrendered along with 122 anti-personnel mines.

Also captured in the same period were 30 NPA encampments, she added.

"Beyond the numbers, the real measure of success is that more and more communities are living in peace and in safe conditions. This is also reflected on the larger numbers of surrenders as opposed to those results in operations," the AFP spokesperson said.

Last year, the military said that its units have neutralized 2,018 NPA members and its supporters.

Of the 2,018 communist insurgents and followers neutralized, 1,798 have surrendered, 93 arrested and 127 killed in various military operations nationwide.

"A total of 1,134 firearms and 531 anti-personnel mines were either seized or surrendered (during this period)," the AFP said.

It also added that a total of 149 NPA encampments were also captured from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of last year.

As ever, without breaking down the numbers into supporters and actually rebels this number means nothing. 709 is closer to the last estimated number of remaining rebels, 780, but it's not clear how many actual rebels are left. And how are there more supporters than there are actual rebels? These numbers make no sense. 

The Calabarzon region was declared insurgency-free on June 12th. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/13/calabarzon-declared-insurgency-free-on-independence-day

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Department of the Interior and Local Government on Friday, June 12, declared the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) region insurgency free, the first in the country this year.

The Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) Status was awarded during the SIPS Seal Awarding and Declaration Ceremony at the Quezon Convention Center here in the presence of DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, local government officials, and high-ranking military officers in the region.

The declaration was built on a series of provincial milestones achieved over the years.

Cavite became the first province in the region to be declared under SIPS in 2018 and was subsequently revalidated in 2024

Laguna followed in 2019 and was revalidated in 2026, while Batangas attained its declaration in 2021. Quezon achieved its SIPS declaration in 2023, followed by Rizal in 2024.

Calabarzon became the first region in the country to attain a SIPS status. It is one of the country’s major centers of industry, tourism, agriculture, and commerce, where peace continues to create opportunities for growth, investment, and development.

The declaration served as a recognition of the gains achieved and a reminder that sustaining peace requires continued vigilance, strong partnerships, and shared responsibility.

Of course they could have made this declaration any day of the week over the past few years but they waited until independence day for optics. 

The NTF-ELCAC says this region, also known as Southern Tagalog, has rejected the ideals of the NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1277418

A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said on Wednesday that the declaration placing Southern Tagalog (also known as Calabarzon) under "Stable Internal Peace and Security" (SIPS) is a clear sign that the people in the region have rejected the ideals of the communist insurgents.

"Peace works. Development works. Democracy works," NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said in a statement.

He also called the SIPS declaration for Southern Tagalog on June 12 a historic rejection of Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) violence by one of the insurgents' biggest former strongholds.

Torres also emphasized that communities prosper not through violence and armed struggle, but through unity, cooperation, and shared aspirations.

"The story of Southern Tagalog proves that no insurgency is stronger than a united people determined to build a better future for their children," he said.

Likewise, the NTF-ELCAC executive said this SIPS declaration marks not only a major security milestone but, more importantly, a victory earned by the people of Southern Tagalog after decades of conflict, intimidation, and underdevelopment.

"This is a moment that Southern Tagalog should celebrate with pride. For more than five decades, the CPP-NPA-NDF sought to establish deep roots in the region. Today, the people of Southern Tagalog have delivered their verdict. They have rejected violence, rejected armed struggle, and chosen peace, development, and democracy," he added.

Southern Tagalog's SIPS declaration comes amid a growing wave of peace gains across the country. Since 2018, a total of 58 provinces have attained SIPS status.

The provinces of Kalinga, Apayao, Southern Leyte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur have likewise achieved the milestone. Some regions, such as Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Western Visayas, have been declared insurgency-free and placed under SIPS, while Caraga is expected to make its own regional declaration on June 18.

Torres said these developments demonstrate the steady weakening of communist insurgency nationwide and the growing success of the government's whole-of-nation approach to peace and development.

The NTF-ELCAC executive described the SIPS declaration for Southern Tagalog as unique, noting that the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon were regarded by communist leaders as critical to their revolutionary ambitions, as the region's mountains, agricultural communities, urban centers, and educational institutions became targets of recruitment, organization, and armed operations.

"The declaration of SIPS is not merely the absence of armed conflict. It is the restoration of normal life. It means communities can focus on development instead of security threats. It means children can dream bigger. It means local governments can concentrate on building roads, schools, health facilities, livelihoods, and economic opportunities,” he said.

This achievement, he added, belongs first and foremost to the people of Southern Tagalog.

"We celebrate the barangays that stood firm against intimidation. We celebrate the families who protected their children from recruitment and chose hope over hatred. We celebrate former rebels who embraced reconciliation and proved that peace is always possible," he said.

Likewise, Torres said the NTF-ELCAC celebrates local leaders who brought government services to communities long neglected by conflict, along with teachers, religious leaders, civil society partners, peace advocates, soldiers, police officers, and public servants who dedicated years of their lives to protecting communities and advancing development.

"But above all, we celebrate the ordinary people of Southern Tagalog. Their courage, resilience, and unwavering faith in a better future accomplished what decades of violence never could. They proved that peace is stronger than fear, hope is stronger than extremism, and unity is stronger than division," he said.

See that? It's not about the absence of armed conflict. It's about "restoration of normal life," i.e good governance. 

Caraga has also been given a SIPS status or Stable Internal Peace and Security.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1277553

The entire Caraga Region was formally declared under a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) on Thursday, marking the culmination of decades of efforts to end insurgency in the area.

The declaration was made at a gathering of governors, mayors, government line agencies, the private sector, and former combatants of the New People's Army (NPA) in Butuan City.

Top government officials, including Undersecretary Angelito De Leon of the Department of National Defense; Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., Executive Director of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict; and Undersecretary Jonathan Ferdinand Miano of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, were present.

"For decades, many parts of our region bore the burdens of insurgency, instability, and underdevelopment, with communities living with uncertainty, opportunities were limited, investments hesitated, and progress slowed down," Butuan City Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun said.

The declaration of SIPS, he added, is the collective accomplishment of the entire region, including the steadfast efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police, government agencies, local government units, and community support.

The declaration came after all provinces and Butuan City were declared insurgency-free, following the collapse of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA.

Agusan del Norte was declared insurgency-free on June 5; Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, and Butuan City on June 15; Dinagat Islands on Dec. 12, 2014; and Surigao del Norte on March 15, 2024.

Lt. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, represented the AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner.

"The declaration is proof of how far the Caraga Region has come, from years of conflict and uncertainty to a future of stability and opportunities," Brawner said in his message, as delivered by Orio.

Aljon Intano, president of the United Caraganon for Peace and Development Federation, Inc. (UCPDFI), expressed hope for former rebels with the SIPS declaration.

"The former rebels in the Caraga Region are thankful for being part of the declaration of SIPS in the whole region," Intano said, representing the former rebels.

He added that the declaration will allow hundreds of former rebels still staying in military camps for security reasons to reunite with their families and communities and live peacefully.

A Peace Marker was unveiled during the activity, led by Torres and De Leon and witnessed by government and local chief executives.

Participants also signed a pledge of commitment for peace, committing to build a just society where every individual has equal opportunities and protection under the law, and to continue counterinsurgency initiatives in pursuit of permanent peace and development

While this comes "following the collapse of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA" there is no doubt the AFP will continue to monitor the region to ensure there is no resurgence of the NPA.

The Cordillera Administrative Region has also been declared insurgency-free.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/19/cordillera-region-declared-insurgency-free

The Cordillera Administrative Region, composed of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province, as well as the cities of Baguio and Tabuk, was declared insurgency free and under a Stable Internal Peace and Security status during the Regional Peace and Order Council second-quarter full council meeting in Baguio City on Thursday.

RPOC Chairperson and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong presided over the meeting where Resolution No. 3, Series of 2026, containing the declaration was adopted.

The resolution was introduced by Col. Darrel Bañez, deputy commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade, and acting brigade commander Col. Davice Christopher Mercado.

A SIPS is declared when authorities determine that insurgent groups no longer possess the capability to conduct sustained armed operations in a particular area.

The resolution cited years of coordinated security operations, peace-building initiatives, and close collaboration among the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units, and communities across the Cordillera as key factors behind the achievement.

Police Regional Office-Cordillera Director Police Brig. Gen. Ericson Dilag and 5th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Gulliver Siñeres are expected to sign the resolution together with Magalong before it is sent to the National Peace and Order Council chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The military and police said the resolution follows similar assessments and declarations previously issued on the provincial and city levels after authorities reported the dismantling of local insurgent structures and the absence of significant rebel-related activities.

With the declaration, security agencies are expected to transition from counterinsurgency operations to sustaining peace through law enforcement, governance, and development programs.

Now the government will "transition from counterinsurgency operations to sustaining peace." Did they forget that good governance through the whole-of-nation approach IS counterinsurgency?

These declarations notwithstanding the NPA remains a deadly threat.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/15/couple-shot-dead-at-home-in-guihulngan-city

Unidentified armed men killed a couple in their house in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Friday, June 12.

Police Capt. Stephen Polinar, Negros Oriental police spokesperson, identified the victims as Efren, 32, and his wife Jean, 27.

Initial information revealed that Jean was an alleged victim of sexual abuse while her husband was allegedly a notorious robber in the area. Police said these are subject to verification.

Due to a security threat, police coordinated with the Army before proceeding to the barangay.

The New People’s Army (NPA) claimed responsibility and tagged the victims as military assets.

Communist rebels also claimed another shooting incident on Friday in Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental. The victim was identified as Anthony of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

Police are conducting follow-up investigations.

Well, at least one of these persons was an accused robber so maybe it was not the NPA? How can the AFP even verify the NPA's statement? What proof is there they were military assets? Surely the AFP won't tell the public that.

Insurgency: Online Radicalization

It's been a victorious past week as the NPA continues to crumble in various provinces and regions. First up is Cagayan Valley being declared insurgency-free.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/06/cagayan-valley-declared-insurgency-free

The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) has officially declared the Cagayan Valley region insurgency-free and placed it under a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS), marking a major milestone in the government’s peace and security campaign in Northern Luzon.

The declaration was made during the RPOC’s second quarter meeting on Thursday, June 4, at the Cagayan Provincial Capitol here.

The meeting was led by Regional Development Council (RDC) Chairperson and Cagayan Gov. Edgar Aglipay and attended by the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Region 2, and other government agencies and security sector partners.

A symbolic marker was unveiled and official documents were signed to formalize the declaration recognizing the region’s successful efforts in addressing insurgency and maintaining peace and order following the dismantling of the Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), which had operated in the region for decades.

Aglipay commended the unwavering commitment and dedication of government agencies, local government units, and security forces in carrying out their mandates that ultimately led to the region being declared free from insurgency threats.

He stressed that the declaration should not be viewed as the end of the government’s peace efforts but as a continuing commitment to sustain peace, security, and development throughout the region.

Police Regional Office-2 Director Police Brig. Gen. Mariano Rodriguez, 5th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Gulliver Señires, and Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Aristotle Gonzalez reaffirmed their commitment to continue close coordination and collaboration to preserve peace and ensure that insurgency will no longer regain a foothold in the region.

No word on when the last time rebels were seen in the area bu the government warns this is not "the end of the government’s peace efforts." The AFP has to sustain the gains made in this region and in every region. 

Agusan del Sur has been placed under Stable Internal Peace and Security status. Is SIPS different from SSIPS?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1276870

The province of Agusan del Sur is under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status, according to the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).

The declaration of the SIPS status was made during the PPOC meeting in Prosperidad town on Monday, which was attended by top leaders in the area, led by Governor Santiago Cane Jr., and officials of the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other government agencies.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade (401Bde) said the SIPS status was achieved by the province mainly due to the dismantling of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the communist New People’s Army.

The 401Bde attributed NEMRC's downfall to the relentless efforts of the Army, the PNP, and other security forces in the province.

“The declaration signifies the province's transition toward an insurgency-free environment, opening greater opportunities for economic growth, investment, and improved public services for its people,” Col. Glenn Joy U. Aynera, acting commander of 401Bde, said in the same statement.

He added that the achievement also reflects the sacrifices and dedication of Army troopers, including fallen soldiers who offered their lives in the pursuit of peace, as well as the support of the local government units, the Indigenous Peoples, and various communities in the province.

Last week, the two units of 401Bde – the 36th Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Special Forces Battalion – together with the PNP’s 1st Special Action Battalion, facilitated the surrender of the five remaining remnants of NEMRC in an operation in Barangay Sibahay, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

The surrenderers also handed over one RPK light machine gun, three M16A1 rifles, one M203 grenade launcher, one M4 Bushmaster rifle, four AK-47 magazines, various ammunition, including four 40mm high-explosive rounds, and subversive documents.

“This historic declaration reflects the effectiveness of the whole-of-nation approach in promoting peace and development,” Maj. Gen. Marion Angcao, the commander of the 4th Infantry Division, also said in the statement.

He commended the dedication of soldiers, local government leaders, partner agencies, and peace-loving citizens who collaborated to achieve SIPS status.

"The declaration signifies the province's transition toward an insurgency-free environment" makes it sounds like the region is not actually, or officially anyway, insurgency-free. 

Once a hotbed of the insurgency, two Samar towns have been declared insurgency-free. The first is Matuguinao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1276842

This town was formally declared under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) on Monday, marking the culmination of years of government efforts to eradicate the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in the area.

A declaration ceremony held at the municipal gymnasium was attended by local officials led by Mayor Aran Boller, the Army's 8th Infantry Division commander Major General Peter Burgonio, and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Matuguinao had long been considered one of Samar's insurgency hotspots, with communist rebel influence reaching nearly all of its 20 villages for decades.

Since its creation as a municipality in 1965 and the rise of the NPA in the 1970s, two of its mayors have been assassinated by communist rebels. Several military personnel and barangay officials were also killed.

Local officials said the situation began to improve in 2019 when the local government declared NPA members persona non grata, intensifying its anti-insurgency campaign in partnership with the Philippine Army and PNP.

In his speech, Boller described the declaration as the realization of a long-held aspiration for peace and development.

"It has been a long journey toward the total emancipation of Matuguinao from the influence of the CPP-NPA-NDF," he said, recalling the lives lost over the years, including soldiers, village officials, and civilians.

He said the declaration signifies that the town is now ready to focus on sustained development and economic progress.

One major factor behind the transformation was improved accessibility. Once reachable only through a four- to six-hour motorboat ride, Matuguinao was connected by road to neighboring Gandara through a Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan-funded road project completed in 2019, reducing travel time to less than an hour.

"By delivering services to all citizens equally, we have eliminated the grounds for complaints used by the NPA to justify their recruitment," Boller added.

The local government is currently assisting around 60 to 70 former rebels through reintegration and support programs, including livelihood assistance and planned housing units under the Saad nga Balay (promised housing) program.

Burgonio commended the local government and residents for their cooperation, saying peace could not have been achieved without active community participation.

The SIPSC declaration is granted after a local government unit undergoes assessment and verification by the military and police and is found free from insurgent influence, presence, and activities for at least one year.

NPA influence for almost 50 years and all it took to "eliminate the grounds for complaints used by the NPA to justify their recruitment" was "delivering services to all citizens equally." Good governance as counterinsurgency when it should be norm. 

The second Samar town to be cleared from the NPA is Tagapul-an.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1277103

The island town of Tagapul-an in Samar province has been formally declared as free from threats of the New People’s Army (NPA) due to sustained efforts for peace, security, and development.

The town's declaration under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) was formalized on Thursday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) led by Tagapul-an Mayor Princess Kate Limpiado, Philippine Army 801st Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Arlino Sendaydiego, and 14th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Esmeraldo Sumalinog.

The SIPSC declaration acknowledges the town’s ongoing peace, stability, and lack of major insurgency or internal conflict, fostering a better environment for growth.

In her message, Limpiado emphasized that the declaration is not the culmination of peacebuilding efforts but the beginning of a more focused and sustained development agenda for the municipality.

“With an improved peace and security environment, Tagapul-an is now better positioned to attract investment, expand social services, and implement long-term development programs that will improve the quality of life for every Tagapul-anon,” she said.

The mayor also acknowledged the collective contributions of past and present local officials, barangay leaders, security forces, and community stakeholders, whose efforts made the declaration possible.

Meanwhile, Sendaydiego said the SIPSC declaration reflects the municipality’s progress in addressing insurgency-related concerns through close collaboration among local government units, security agencies, and community partners.

He noted that the achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of the government's whole-of-nation approach to addressing the root causes of insurgency and promoting lasting peace and stability in Samar.

With Tagapul-an’s declaration under SIPSC, all five island municipalities of Samar province have now attained insurgency-free status. These include Almagro, Sto. Niño, Daram and Zumarraga.

Other local government units in Samar that have previously been declared under the same status include Sta. Rita, Calbiga, Matuguinao, Villareal, Pinabacdao, Pagsanghan, Tarangnan, San Sebastian, Sta. Margarita and Calbayog City.

This town, like Matuguinao, has been placed under Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC). What is the difference exactly between SIPS and SSIPS? Is there a real difference? 

Caraga Region is set to be declared Reds-free so the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) is switching gears to peace sustainability. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1276769

Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento on Monday said the agency will soon shift its peacebuilding strategy from "conflict management to peace sustainability" initiatives.

Sarmiento said this shift, to be handled by the agency's Local Conflict Transformation - Field Implementation Support Office (LCT-FISO), will happen in anticipation of the Caraga Region being declared insurgency-free within the month.

“With Caraga Region on the cusp of being declared insurgency-free, our mandate shifts fundamentally. We are now stepping into deep-rooted conflict transformation. To ensure this milestone translates into positive, lasting peace, our Transformation Program must not only help rebuild the lives of former rebels, but must also focus on mending the social fabric of communities,” he said in a news release.

“Recognizing that decades of conflict have left invisible wounds in communities and among individuals, OPAPRU will strengthen the implementation of the Transformation Program through its Healing and Reconciliation component to foster understanding, rebuild trust, and promote social cohesion among former adversaries."

Sarmiento said sustainable peace requires “addressing the emotional, psychological, and social scars left by years of violence and division.”

“Through dialogue, community engagement, and peacebuilding initiatives, OPAPRU aims to help communities heal, restore relationships, and create an environment where peace can flourish and be sustained at the communities once plagued by conflict,” he added.

Earlier, the Eastern Mindanao Command, the military formation responsible for defending and securing Caraga against all forms of threats, said the locality will soon be officially cleared of communist insurgents.

This came after the Caraga was declared a “Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS)” area during the Regional Peace and Order Council 13 meeting held last week.

The OPAPRU chief said development is a welcome one as the Caraga Region has long being considered the main outpost of the New People's Army in Mindanao, specifically operating under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Records from the military showed that from 2016 to 2026, a total of 224 communist rebels affliated with the NEMRC operating in Caraga were subdued, together with 189 members of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in Northern Mindanao.

Combined, Regions 10 and 13 accounted for 433 subdued communist rebels over the 10-year period, reflecting the steady weakening of insurgent forces and the eventual dismantling of their operational capabilities.

The OPAPRU and provincial local government units’ (PLGUs) earlier established peace and development centers (PDCs) across Caraga, the pilot region for the peace agency’s flagship initiative under the CPP-NPA-NDF Peace Process Office (CPPO), with the aim of serving as platforms where local stakeholders, through the PLGU of Caraga, can actively participate in shaping and sustaining the gains of peace.

“Peace is strongest when it is built from the ground up. By working closely with the communities and local stakeholders to confront the past and rebuild trust through our established PDC as a mechanism, we are laying the foundation for a resilient and united CARAGA," the OPAPRU chief said.

What it boils down to is good governance. Make sure the people have basic commodities and infrastructure and they will have no reason to take up arms. 

The PNP has ramped up their battle against online radicalization by collaborating with international partners. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1277069

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its collaboration with international law enforcement agencies to combat cross-border extremist networks targeting vulnerable Filipino youth, following the rescue of 21 minors from online violent extremist influence.

In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. underscored the importance of international cooperation after the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in partnership with Philippine law enforcement agencies, including the PNP, rescued 21 Filipino minors from nihilist violent extremism (NVE).

“The rescue of 21 minors from violent extremist influence is a significant achievement in protecting vulnerable young people from radicalization and exploitation. It demonstrates the importance of early intervention and coordinated law enforcement efforts to safeguard communities,” Nartatez said.

According to the FBI-led Anti-Terrorism Fusion Group, authorities conducted 14 separate operations across the Philippines after identifying juveniles who exhibited signs of extremist behavior online.

Authorities said NVE is a form of extremism driven by the belief that life has no value. The ideology has emerged as a global threat, primarily spreading through gaming platforms and social media networks.

Nartatez noted that evolving security threats require a unified international response to effectively protect communities from online radicalization and exploitation.

“International cooperation is crucial because extremist networks often operate across borders and digital platforms. No single agency can effectively address these threats alone, which is why information sharing and joint action among trusted partners are essential,” he said.

The FBI began sharing critical intelligence with Philippine authorities earlier this year, enabling local law enforcement agencies to conduct coordinated interventions before the targeted minors could be fully exploited or driven toward violence.

U.S. authorities have noted that similar online recruitment patterns observed globally have previously been linked to planned school attacks involving young people.

Aside from efforts against NVE, the FBI is also working closely with Philippine law enforcement agencies to dismantle regional scam centers operated by transnational criminal networks.

“We will continue working closely with foreign law enforcement agencies, local government units, schools, and communities to identify at-risk individuals, prevent radicalization, and ensure timely intervention whenever necessary,” Nartatez said.

They PNP says they have "rescued 21 Filipino minors from nihilist violent extremism (NVE)." Nihilism? What is this, late 19th century Russia? It turns out "NVE is a form of extremism driven by the belief that life has no value." Also "the ideology has emerged as a global threat, primarily spreading through gaming platforms and social media networks." That is a new one for me. What kind of violence have these nihilists been committing in the real world? It sounds more like the black pill than anything.