The Philippine government has adopted a new plan to end the insurgency by the 2028.
Malacañang has adopted the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD) 2025–2028 as the government’s strategic blueprint for promoting sustainable peace and addressing insurgency in the country.
In issuing Memorandum Circular No. 83, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 2, President Marcos said the need to maintain peace and order; protect life, liberty, and property; and promote general welfare.
"The Constitution declares it a policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, rising standard of living, and improved quality of life for all," the President said.
In his memorandum, which takes effect immediately, Marcos directed the implementation of the NAP-UPD as the nation’s strategic blueprint to end the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) insurgency and armed conflict, and attain inclusive and sustainable peace.
The blueprint outlines specific action plans and strategies to further operationalize the whole-of-nation approach in addressing the root causes of insurgency and local armed conflict and attaining inclusive and sustainable peace in the country.
It is also anchored on the National Security Policy 2023–2028 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, which underscore the Administration’s thrust to pursue an integrated, transparent, people-centered, and human rights-based peace and security policy.
Under the memorandum, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) shall lead the implementation of the NAP-UPD 2025–2028.
The NTF-ELCAC is instructed to "monitor and evaluate the implementation of the programs, activities, and projects under the NAP-UPD 2025–2028, and submit annual reports to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary."
It shall also study and recommend, if necessary, measures that will further enable and support attaining the objectives of the NAP-UPD 2025–2028, including strengthening monitoring mechanisms and creating development offices at the national and local levels.
The task force may also establish an Overseas Coordinating Committee to oversee peace and development initiatives.
NTF-ELCAC is further directed to engage the private sector, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders for monitoring and feedback regarding the NAP's implementation.
Meanwhile, all departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices of the national government, including state universities and colleges and government-owned or -controlled corporations, are directed to support the implementation of the NAP-UPD 2025–2028. Local governments and the private sector are encouraged to do the same.
The funding requirements for the plan “shall be charged against the existing appropriations of concerned government agencies and LGUs, subject to applicable laws, rules, and regulations.”
Of course the insurgency has never ended whenever the government has set a timeline. Three years raises a lot of questions because the government claims the NPA is leaderless and there is only one front left. They have also declared a strategic victory. Why would it take three years to defeat the already defeated insurgency?
The NTF-ELCAC plays a big part in this plan which means they are not going away anytime soon.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will continue to exist due to its effectiveness in combating insurgents and bringing development to formerly "geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas" (GIDAs), the country's top security adviser said.
“Let me also make it very clear: the NTF-ELCAC will not be abolished. The Task Force remains indispensable—not only as a counter-insurgency mechanism but also as a model of effective government convergence," National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said in a statement Monday night.
He also noted that the body has been the strategic engine behind community empowerment, peacebuilding, and good governance.
Año, who is also an NTF-ELCAC vice chair, said the agency will continue to uphold these principles under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s orders.
"Under the President's directive, the NTF-ELCAC will continue to exist, evolve, and strengthen—aligned with the vision of unity, peace, and sustainable development for our nation,” he added.
The Joint Regional Task Forces (JRTFs) and National Clusters of the NTF-ELCAC earlier presented the accomplishments of the whole-of-nation approach against the insurgents during the recently-concluded first quarter accomplishment report on April 24, 25, 30, and May 2.
Guided by the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD) approved by the NTF-ELCAC chairman, who incidentally is the Chief Executive, the JRTFs and National Clusters exhibited improved responsiveness to the current security environment in their existing programs and initiatives aiming to address the root causes of insurgency.
Some of the major efforts highlighted are the successful implementation of the Barangay Development Program and the establishment of Local Amnesty Boards across the country to encourage more members of the insurgents to return to the fold of the law.
Año commended the achievements of JRTFs and National Clusters which contributed to the state’s relentless campaign against terrorism. The NSA emphasized the need to sustain these efforts to address the threat posed by the insurgents and prevent the possibility of their resurgence.
“Recovery efforts by the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front) are ongoing and one way of doing this is by exploiting political spaces and elections especially as the midterm polls (are) fast approaching. Let me emphasize: We cannot allow even the slightest room for resurgence," Año said.
Año says the NTF-ELCAC serves "not only as a counter-insurgency mechanism but also as a model of effective government convergence." However, I cannot help quoting Teddy Casiño:
“It also expands the scope of such operations to include the delivery or denial of government projects and services,” he said, stressing that “in a sense, it reduces governance to a counterinsurgency program.”
Commie or not Teddy is correct. Good governance should not be a counterinsurgency program.
A cache of NPA weapons was found in Zamboanga del Sur.
AUTHORITIES recovered explosives cache of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, the military said Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
The 53rd Infantry Battalion (53IB) said the recovery of the cache of explosives came after a former mass base supporter of the defunct Mobile Regional Guerrilla Unit (MRGU) volunteered information about the hidden war materials.
The MRGU operates under the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC).
The cache of explosives was recovered on Sunday, May 4, in Sigacad village, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur. Recovered from the site were 10 rifle grenades and 11 ammunition for caliber 40-millimeter grenade launcher.
The former mass base supporter of the MRGU took an Oath of Allegiance before Bayog Mayor Celso Matias, who chairs the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC).
“During the custodial debriefing, the former mass supporter reveals the existence of an explosives cache buried near his residence,” the 53IB said in a statement.
These explosives, he said, were left behind by remnants of the defunct MRGU-WMRPC when they sought refuge in the area during past military operations.
The mass supporter had personally buried the explosives during the group’s active presence in the area.
However, prompted by the intensified security operations and ongoing information campaigns of the 53IB on the dangers of loose firearms and explosives, he felt compelled to come forward and help prevent potential threats to community safety.
“The peaceful surrender of the former mass supporter and the successful recovery of deadly explosives are clear outcomes of effective collaboration among the Bayog MTF-ELCAC, 53IB, and the police of Bayog. His brave decision to turnover these weapons removes threats to public safety and serves as a strong message of hope and reconciliation for others still holding on to the past,” Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Vargas, Jr., 53IB commander said.
“We continue to call on remaining supporters and former members of the insurgency to follow this example, embrace peace, and help build a more secure and developed Zamboanga del Sur,” Vargas added.
He said the accomplishment reflects the sustained commitment of the 53IB and its partners in building resilient, peaceful, and progressive communities through trust-based engagements and proactive peace-building strategies.
The recovered explosives were placed under the custody of the 53IB for safekeeping.
The discovery of these weapons came after a single mass supporter surrendered and volunteered information.
The AFP continues to plead for the remaining NPA members and supporters to surrender. 1,500 former rebels have heeded that call.
More than 1,500 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), now referred to as Friends Rescued (FRs), gathered for a summit at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion (60IB) on Wednesday to voice their concerns and express gratitude for government support in their reintegration.
Arian Jane Ramos, or Ka Marikit during her time in the NPA and now president of the Kalinaw Southeastern Mindanao Region (SEMR), said the summit provided a platform to tackle pressing issues affecting FRs, including health, education, livelihood, security, and concerns over unwarranted arrests.
“These are legitimate concerns. If not addressed, there’s a risk the NPA could exploit them to re-recruit former members,” Ramos said in an exclusive interview.
She emphasized that Kalinaw SEMR serves as a bridge between FRs and the government, ensuring their grievances are heard.
“We believe the government is listening and doing what it can to support us,” she added.
However, Ramos also stressed the responsibility that comes with returning to mainstream society, particularly in helping prevent the resurgence of armed insurgency in their communities.
Brig. Gen. Felix Ronnie Babac, commander of the Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade, praised the former rebels for choosing peace.
“Their return to the fold of the law is proof that peace is within reach – if we work together,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bartolome Arcala Jr., former political officer of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 55 and now president of Kalinaw Davao del Norte, thanked the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) and the 60IB.
“We thank you for giving us this space to voice our concerns. We have left the armed struggle behind and now work toward national reconciliation,” he said.
During the event, Kalinaw SEMR and Davao Light Power Co. signed a memorandum of agreement to provide FRs and affiliated people's organizations with computers and digital equipment. The initiative supports digital access and skills development among former rebels.
Again it's good governance being a counterinsurgency program.
The Army says the NPA is no longer extorting the polls in Leyte.
There is no more collection of “permit to campaign” and “permit to win” fees from the New People’s Army (NPA) in Leyte Island and some parts of Samar provinces ahead of the May 12, 2025 elections, the Philippine Army said on Monday.
One week before the national and local elections, there have been no single NPA violent activities monitored by the military, including extortion attempts of rebels from local candidates, Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir said.
In the past elections, the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, collected “permit to campaign” or “permit to win” fees in exchange for freely campaigning in hinterlands within their influence.
On the other hand, rebels demand the so-called “permit to win” in exchange for votes for a candidate in places under their influence.
“Even in the 2022 elections, we have not monitored extortion activities of rebels in Leyte and Biliran during the campaign period. They can still do that by writing to candidates, but they are less capable now after losing mass base support,” Vestuir said in a phone interview.
For decades, the 802nd Brigade has been covering the entire Leyte Island and Biliran province.
The brigade expanded its area of operations to the southern part of Samar Island in 2023.
“Despite the absence of these illegal activities, we remind all troops not to be complacent and to remain vigilant as we continue our internal security operations in our area of responsibility,” Vestuir added.
Meanwhile, the 802nd Infantry Brigade is stepping up its watch in 12 areas in Leyte and Samar provinces classified as election hotspots ahead of the 2025 national and local elections.
Vestuir said they have been constantly collaborating with the Philippine National Police to secure the conduct of the May 12 midterm elections.
He said a significant number of government troops have been deployed to secure areas declared under yellow and orange categories, or those with a history of election-related incidents in the past elections and possible employment of private armed groups, and those with serious armed threats, such as a presence of communist rebels, respectively.
Under the yellow category are the towns of Palompon, Villaba, Hilongos, Albuera, and Tabontabon in Leyte; and Basey and Pinabacdao in Samar.
The towns of Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, and Baybay City were placed under the orange category by the Commission on Elections.
However, the Comelec has placed one city in Negros Oriental under a red category
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday, May 8, placed Guihulngan City and La Libertad town in Negros Oriental on its red category list due to security threats posed by communist rebels just days before election day.
The two areas fall within the 1st District of Negros Oriental, long dominated by the Limkaichong political clan and represented in Congress by Jocelyn “Josy” Limkaichong.
Guihulngan and La Libertad are the only two out of 63 cities and towns in the Negros Island Region (NIR) classified as “critical” under Comelec’s color-coded watchlist system, according to Comelec-NIR director Lionil Marco Castillano.
A red classification signals direct threats from armed groups like the New People’s Army (NPA), placing an area just below the most critical category – Comelec control – in terms of election security risk.
In response, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Army deployed more troops to these areas to beef up security measures in time for next week’s elections.
Castillano said the police and military would also step up intelligence-gathering and monitoring operations in Guihulngan and La Libertad.
Lieutenant Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO), said an augmentation force of 30 police officers each has been deployed to Guihulngan and La Libertad from the Bacolod City Police Office in Negros Occidental.
“NORPPO wants to ensure that all the polling precincts in Guihulngan and La Libertad will be secure on May 12,” Polinar said.
Aside from the two red-listed areas, Comelec also classified 23 areas in Negros Oriental and five in Negros Occidental as “areas of concern,” placing them under either the orange or yellow categories.
Orange indicates a serious threat from armed groups, while yellow flags areas with a history of election-related incidents.
Castillano cited two incidents that contributed to the red listing: the killing of a village councilor in Guihulngan and the burning of heavy equipment in La Libertad.
On December 23, 2024, Dennis Malabago Sadagnot, a village councilor from Barangay T-Hill, Guihulngan, was gunned down by still unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants. The incident was believed by authorities as politically motivated.
On February 8, several pieces of heavy equipment – including two backhoes, a payloader, and a dump truck – were set ablaze in Sitio Manghaya, Barangay Aya, La Libertad. The NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command claimed responsibility for the attack.
“[These] incidents are enough reasons to place both [areas] under the red category,” said Castillano.
Guihulngan and La Libertad are under a congressional district where the Limkaichongs are prominent figures in the May 12 elections. Term-limited Representative Limkaichong is running for mayor of Guihulngan, challenging reelectionist Filomeno “Mikoy” Reyes.
Meanwhile, La Libertad Mayor Emmanuel Limkaichong Iway, a nephew of town Vice Mayor Lawrence “Dodong” Limkaichong, is seeking to succeed her in Congress, facing Francisco Mijares III. Lawrence is the husband of the congresswoman.
Lawrence is also running for mayor in La Libertad, up against Woody Gallosa.
The remaining 27 cities and towns in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, and all six towns in Siquijor have been placed under the “green category,” indicating no current threats or history of election-related violence.
To secure the NIR – comprising Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor – the military and police have mobilized 7,000 security personnel, said Brigadier General Thomas Arnold Ibay, the police director the region.
Brigadier General Michael Samson, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and head of Joint Task Force Spear, said 3,922 soldiers and 91 mobility assets were deployed across the region.
Four days out from the election the Comelec has placed Guihulngan under red category due to two events that happened months ago. Why now? Why not make this declaration earlier? The world may never know.
