The AFP says their plan to defeat the remaining insurgents is "on track." They give the number of communist terrorist group (members) and supporters how have been neutralized this year.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1238783 |
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said its plan to defeat the communist insurgents is "well within target".
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said they are waiting for the declaration of a "weakened guerilla front" into a "cleared" one.
"We are working to have these localities declared into insurgent-free areas, and once we complete this within December, we are well within targets," she added.
Once achieved, Padilla said the AFP can focus on its territorial defense missions.
In a command conference in January this year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the AFP to defeat the country's insurgency problem once and for all.
Padilla said from Jan. 1 to Nov. 14, a total of 2,319 "communist terrorist group (members) and supporters" were neutralized.
Of this number, 2,042 surrendered to government forces while another 140 were arrested with 137 killed in military operations.
"Our call to the remaining members of the New People's Army is they return to the fold of the government and help us fight a bigger challenge together," Padilla said.
See how they give this number, 2,319, as "communist terrorist group (members) and supporters." Supporters is the key word here because if 2,319 insurgents has been neutralized then the insurgency would be finished. I have gone over the numbers here many times showing how they do not add up. Perhaps if the AFP included the break down between actual insurgents and mere supporters it would make more sense.
Limasawa Island has been declared free from the NPA.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1238991 |
The historic island town of Limasawa in Southern Leyte has been formally declared as completely free from the threats of the New People's Army (NPA), the Philippine Army said Friday.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said the declaration led by Mayor Melchor Petracorta marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability.
“With no sightings of armed rebels for several years now, these towns have achieved insurgency-free status and officially, stable internal peace and security conditions (SIPSC),” Vestuir said in a phone interview.
A town earns SIPSC status if there has been no NPA activity in the area for several years, and no resident is identified as an active armed rebel, Vestuir said.
Ceremonies were held on Thursday to highlight the declarations, which included the signing of memoranda of agreements and pledges of commitment, along with the simultaneous release of white doves, symbolizing peace and new beginnings.
But it seems they have been free for several years and this declaration is merely a formality.
Maasin, the capital of Southern Leyte, has been declared insurgency-free.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2011304/maasin-city-declared-npa-free |
Maasin, the capital of Southern Leyte, was declared insurgency-free on Friday, Nov. 29.
Maasin was the first city under the jurisdiction of the 802nd Infantry Brigade to achieve this status, ahead of other cities like Ormoc, Baybay and Tacloban.
At least 45 municipalities in Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte and parts of Samar and Eastern Samar under the brigade’s coverage were also earlier declared insurgency-free.
This status is conferred upon local governments that meet specific criteria, including the absence of violence initiated by the New People’s Army (NPA) for at least one year and the establishment of stable peace and order.
The declaration was announced in a ceremony attended by military officials and local leaders led by Mayor Nacional Mercado, chair of the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Southern Leyte 1st district Representative Luz Mercado.
It's a first for the 802nd Infantry Brigade.
In South Negros the Army has vowed to bring peace even as they clash with NPA remnants.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1238667 |
Operating battalions of the Philippine Army vowed to ensure peace for communities in southern Negros after their series of encounters with New People’s Army’s (NPA) rebels in Candoni, Negros Occidental late last week.
According to military reports on Monday, eight insurgents died, while none among the soldiers was injured or killed during the gunbattles between remnants of the South West Front and troops of the 47th and 15th Infantry Battalions (IB) in Barangay Gatuslao on Nov. 21 and 22.
In a statement, 47IB commander, Lt. Col. Magno Mapalad III said their unit "remains committed to protecting the people, respecting human rights, and fostering lasting peace in the conflict-affected areas."
“We urge the remaining NPA members to surrender and return to their respective families. The government is ready to support those who seek to reintegrate into society and pursue a peaceful life,” he added.
On Nov. 21, security patrol operations of the 47IB and 15IB troops in Sitio Cogon led to an encounter with about 10 NPA remnants, seven of whom died during the 40-minute gunbattle.
After the clash, the soldiers seized eight high-powered firearms, including five M-16 armalite rifles, 2 AK 47 rifles, and an M653 “baby” armalite.
Only one of the seven fatalities was claimed by family members, while the six others, who remained unidentified, were buried a day after the encounter through the initiative of the 47IB and the municipal government.
During the pursuit operations on Nov. 22, 15IB troops clashed anew with the NPA remnants, resulting in the death of another insurgent in Sitio Soso.
They also found the rebels’ hideout and recovered a caliber .45 pistol, two improvised explosive devices, two hand-held radios, a bandoleer, and 16 backpacks, among other items.
In a separate statement, Lt. Col. Brian Bagaipo, acting commanding officer of the 15IB, said through the operation, they aim to “secure the communities and promote lasting peace and development in southern Negros.”
“This mission reflects our commitment to protecting the communities we serve. The swift action of our troops and the cooperation of the community have dealt a significant blow to the communist rebels’ operations in the area,” he added.
They urge them to surrender because if not the AFP will blast them to pieces.
In Negros Occidental another NPA lair was discovered after a clash.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/25/npa-lair-discovered-in-negros-occidental |
Soldiers discovered a New People’s Army camp following an encounter in Barangay Damutan, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on Sunday morning, Nov. 24.
Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of the Army 302nd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said troops engaged the fleeing remnants of the dismantled Southwest Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor while they were conducting patrol operations.
Escanillas said they deployed close air support due to the difficult terrain but no civilians were displaced in the encounter.
Soldiers cleared the area and found the encampment that can accommodate 15 to 20 individuals and has a kitchen, hammocks, and other structures.
That is a big lair. Note that the Army used air support. Why not call them in more often?
EastMinCom is boosting their psychological operations capabilities to defeat the NPA's recruitment abilities.
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| https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/eastmincom-boosts-psychological-operations-capabilities-to-counter-npa-recruitment/ |
THE EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) has recently conducted a Joint Psychological operations training to strengthen the capabilities of the Philippine Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Held at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City, from Nov. 11 to 15, through the office of the Assistant Chief of the Unified Command Staff (ACUCS) for Joint training (U8), the training focused on aligning operations and intensifying efforts to counter Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) recruitment and influence in vulnerable communities within EastMinCom’s operational area.
By enhancing the unified psychological operations capabilities of the three military services, the training seeks to effectively influence the beliefs, emotions, behaviors, opinions, and attitudes (BEBOA) of adversaries, particularly CTGs.
This approach aims to weaken their influence and prevent them from regaining control in areas where they were previously active.
The training emphasized the ethical and strategic use of psychological tools to achieve desired outcomes.
By understanding and applying these techniques, military personnel can more effectively counter enemy propaganda, build trust with the local population, and ultimately contribute to the overall security and stability of the region.
These techniques are being directed not towards the NPA but towards civilians. No word on their specific methods but you can still buy a copy of the communist manifesto at bookstores in the mall. Also the AFP has said the NPA is unable to recruit because they are leaderless.
In Samar the insurgency is being fought by building roads and providing electricity.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1238919 |
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Samar provincial office and the city government of Catbalogan have turned over 18 Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) subprojects implemented, designed to fight insurgency in the city’s remote villages.
The PHP52 million projects include infrastructure and renewable energy that aim to improve the basic services and enhance the quality of life of Catbalogan residents.
These projects are renewable energy-based electrification in Cawayan, San Andres, Totoringon, and Albalate villages; health stations in Bangon, Lobo, Manguehay, and Palanyogon villages; farm-to-market roads in Bangon, Albalate, Cagudalo, Cagutian, Libas, Palanyogon, and San Andres; and school buildings in Totoringon and Cawayan villages.
“These initiatives are part of the government’s effort to provide better access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for communities that were once conflict-stricken,” DILG Samar provincial director Judy Batulan said during the turnover on Thursday.
Batulan underscored the significance of the SBDP as “the cornerstone of the government’s effort to end communist terrorism and foster lasting peace in the countryside” and underscored the program’s goal to deliver “long-standing quality government services” to communities that have faced decades of neglect.
Imagine good governance being an anti-insurgency campaign.
A top NPA fugitive has been arrested.
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| https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/top-fugitive-and-former-ctg-member-arrested-in-davao-city/ |
A MOST wanted person (MWP), who was also a former Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) member, was arrested by authorities in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District, on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Police identified him as alias Dodong who has a standing warrant of arrest for murder issued by
RTC 11, Branch 1 Judge Celestial Verde Aranda-Gonzales in Tagum City on Dec. 14, 2023, with no bail recommended.
The arrested MWP is now under the custody of Paquibato Police Station (PS7) for proper disposition.
Following the arrest, PRO XI regional director Brig Gen Leon Victor Rosete commended the dedicated efforts of the personnel involved in the successful operation. He emphasized the importance of law enforcement in maintaining peace and order in the region and reiterated their commitment to bringing offenders to justice.
If only he had surrendered he would have been able to avail of E-CLIP benefits.
