Sunday, February 02, 2025

87 NPA Rebels Surrender in Bukidnon

SAN FERNANDO, Bukidnon (January 27, 2025) — Eighty-seven members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 89th Infantry Battalion (89IB) in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, on Friday

Lt. Col. Antonio Bulao, commander of the 89IB, introduced the former rebels and presented 17 firearms they surrendered during a ceremony in Barangay Nacabuklad, San Fernando. The group includes 54 regular NPA members, 29 Militiang Bayan members, and four mass supporters from the NPA’s Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC 2, NCMRC).

Each of the 87 former rebels received ₱10,000 as immediate cash assistance, along with individual identification cards.

Datu Jimboy Mandagit, also known as Waway and a former high-ranking NPA member, encouraged his former comrades to surrender and take advantage of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) and amnesty offerings.

“I extend my gratitude to the Army for providing a wonderful opportunity for those of us who were victims of a false communist doctrine and became insurgents,” Mandagit stated in the local vernacular. “I urge the rest of our comrades to surrender because the government is always ready to help us,” he added.

The ceremony was witnessed by Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, MGen. Allan Hambala, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, BGen. Marion Angcao, commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, Municipal Mayor Rogelio Yeke, and other local officials.

In his message, Hambala assured the returning rebels of government support to help them start new lives. Yeke also promised to deliver projects aimed at improving farm-to-market roads and education for families in remote villages.

Flores expressed his gratitude and support for the former rebels’ return to the fold of the law. (The Manila Times)

36 Ex-NPA Rebels Surrender in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — Thirty-six former New People’s Army (NPA) leaders and combatants recently surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 403rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. They were presented to the Bukidnon provincial government on January 10 at Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City

The surrenderees turned over 55 high-powered firearms, including an M-60 machine gun, and pledged allegiance to the government.


Brigadier General Michele Anayron Jr., commander of the 403rd Brigade, expressed gratitude to the former rebels, calling their surrender a significant step towards peace and stability in Northern Mindanao.

“Akong pagpasalamat sa atong mga sundalo, pulis, local government units, civil society organizations, ug concerned citizens for participating in the ELCAC campaign. Kini nga kampanya involves municipal, provincial, and line agencies. Naa sila gatabang sa ato pinaagi sa paghatag sa support services sama sa livelihood assistance, skills training, ug uban pa, aron masulbad ang insurgency problem sa nasud labi na dinhi sa atong probinsya sa Bukidnon,” he said.


(I thanked the military, police, local government units, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens. They help provide support services, such as livelihood assistance and skills training, to address the insurgency problem in the country, especially here in Bukidnon.)


He urged remaining insurgents to surrender and embrace peace.


Arnel Arcaya, alias Sky, a former NPA leader, shared his difficult experiences within the rebel group and thanked the government for supporting his reintegration into society.


In a press conference, Arcaya expressed his desire to leave his past behind and start anew, inspired by the government’s reintegration efforts.


The military credited Cong. Jonathan Keith T. Flores of the 2nd Congressional District for facilitating the surrender of former NPA leaders, highlighting the success of the whole-of-nation approach.


Cong. Flores emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in defeating insurgency and thanked the surrendered NPA members for rejoining society.


“The presence of government agencies in the mountains, delivering essential services to marginalized communities, has encouraged many to return to peaceful lives,” he said. (Bernadith G. Epan/PIA 10-Bukidnon)

NPA combatant killed in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) combatant was killed during an encounter with 8th Infantry Battalion personnel in the hinterland of Sitio Bendum, Brgy. Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on August 19, 2024

In a statement, the military identified him as Norbet Sarinao Lipanda @Omar, squad leader of Squad 2, Headquarters Force NEO of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

The 8IB also recovered an M16 assault rifle, a bandolier with three (3) magazines loaded with live ammunitions, a bag, communication devices, and other subversive materials.

Charlie Company of the army’s 8IB was involved in a 15-minute skirmish with around four NPA rebels, including Lipanda.

Before the aforementioned armed clash, the local population notified 8IB about the presence of an armed group performing extortion, food foraging, and coercing farmers to facilitate their food supplies.

Due to this threat, the unit immediately conducted intensified military operations in the area.

The 8IB expressed gratitude to the residents who reported suspicious activity to local officials and law enforcement agencies.

Lt. Col. Marc Bien Stevens J. Deslante, commander of the 8IB, stated that the 8IB will always be “dependable partners” in ensuring peace and order in the province of Bukidnon. (melbmadera)

Balay ta Kalinaw sa Impasug-ong gilansad

Ang Balay ta Kalinaw sa Barangay Poblacion, Impasugong, Bukidnon gilansad kaniadtong Agosto 15, 2024

Sumala sa kasayoran sa provincial government sa Bukidnon, ang kalihokan gipangunahan ni Gobernador Rogelio Neil P. Roque.

Uban ni Roque ang Provincial Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program kon E-CLIP Committee, fourth infantry division assistant division commander BGen. Consolito Yecla, CMU president Dr. Rolito Eballe ug Impasugong Mayor Anthony Uy.

Gipasabot ni PSWD Officer Ellen Salumintao, nga ang maong pasilidad mamahimong temporaryong puy-anan sulod sa tulo ka bulan sa former rebels nga mi-abandona sa armadong pakigbisog, kung diin ipahigayon ang implementasyon sa mga programa ubos sa E-CLIP.

Dugang pa nga adunay upat ka component sa transformational plan nga pagasundon nga mao ang security, socio-economic, confidence building, ug healing and reconciliation. (melbmadera)

2 NPA members die in clash with army troops in Surigao del Sur and Bukidnon

MANILA, Philippines — Two alleged members of the communist New People’s Army were killed in separate encounters in Surigao del Sur and Bukidnon over the weekend, the Philippine Army said on Monday

On Saturday, July 8, elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion of the 901st Infantry Brigade clashed with eight

suspected NPA members in Sitio Libas, Barangay Sibahay in Lanuza town, Surigao del Sur.

This led to the death of a suspected rebel identified as Risam Gonzales Gam, also known as Kim or Miguel. Troops also captured one M653 Assault Rifle at the encounter site.

On Friday, July 7, the 43rd Division Reconnaissance Company of the 403rd Infantry Brigade also figured in two separate encounters with elements of suspected communist rebels in Barangay Bontongon, Impasugong town in Bukidnon province.

The firefights, which lasted for about 30 minutes each, resulted in the death of an unidentified male communist and the capture of one M4A1 5.56mm carbine rifle and one M14 7.62mm rifle. (Inquirer.net)

Rebels in Bukidnon surrender

CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City: Forty-three members of the outlawed New People’s Army (NPA) yielded to Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), in a Saturday acceptance ceremony

During the ceremony, Acorda led the oath of loyalty of the surrendered communist rebels, who vowed to support the government’s efforts to end the insurgency in Northern Mindanao.

The PNP chief commended the surrenderers for their courage in denouncing the communist propaganda that ruined the lives of innocent people in a war of deception and notoriety.

“I am confident that your decision to return to mainstream society will encourage others in the hills to come down and lay down their arms for us to attain lasting peace, development, and progress in our communities,” Acorda said.

The 43 surrenderers, all under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) based in Bukidnon, also led law enforcers in recovering a cache of 15 high-powered firearms buried in Talakag, Bukidnon. (The Manila Times)

7 rebels killed in Butuan, MisOr and Bukidnon; 5 of them women

CAGAYAN DE ORO — The military has revised its narrative on the death toll in clashes with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Butuan City, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon last week, claiming that seven alleged rebels, five of them women, have been killed since June 16, 2023

“The body count in the encounter in Butuan City last Friday (June 16) was raised from three to five. The soldiers also found one more AK 47 rifle,” Major Francisco Garello Jr., spokesperson of the Army 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said.
According to Garello, soldiers seized 20 high-powered firearms — seven AK 47 rifles, four M4 rifles, four AR 18 rifles, an M16 rifle, two M14 rifles, and two M16 with attached M203 grenade launchers, in the three encounter sites – 16 in Butuan, three in Bukidnon and one in Misamis Oriental.
Maj. General Jose Maria Cuerpo, 4ID commanding general said soldiers of the 29th Infantry Battalion supported by Philippine Air Force Turkish-made T129B attack helicopters killed three rebels, two of them women, in Mt. Apo-Apo in Sitio Dugyanan, Barangay Anticala in Butuan City last Friday.
It was the first time that the T129B attack helicopters purchased by the Philippine government for US$269 million in a government-to-government contract with Turkey, was reported to have been used in operations against the NPA.
Garello said soldiers on Saturday found two more bodies of NPA rebels — a female and a male – from the June 16 encounter site in Butuan.
“This raised the body count from three to five NPA rebels killed in the encounter last Friday. The soldiers also found one more AK 47 rifle bringing the total number of firearms recovered to 16,” Garello said.
He said the bodies of the three female NPA rebels and two of their male companions would be brought down from the mountains by Monday.
In Bukidnon province, Brigadier General Michele Anayron, commanding general of the 403rd Infantry Brigade said soldiers encountered at least 15 NPA rebels in Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City on Saturday, following a tip from residents.
Anayron said a female NPA was killed after a 15-minute encounter with the soldiers of the 8th Infantry Battalion. He said the soldiers suffered no casualties.
Recovered from the encounter site were an AK 47 rifle, an M14 rifle, and an improvised anti-personnel landmine, he said.
In Misamis Oriental, one female rebel was killed and an AK 47 rifle was recovered after an encounter with soldiers in Sitio Kalhaan, Barangay Minalwang, Claveria town Friday afternoon. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

Bukidnon ‘criminal’ gangsters with multiple warrants yield

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Three alleged members of a Bukidnon-based criminal group with multiple warrants of arrest surrendered to the police on March 13, 2023, a police official said

Brig. Gen. Lawrence Coop, Police Regional Office-10 director, identified the surrenderers from the Acuman Criminal Group as Erwin Acuman, the leader; his brother, Dario; and cousin Ryan.
Coop said the group has gained notoriety by engaging in robbery, cattle rustling, and extortion schemes in Bukidnon province, specifically in Talakag town and its adjacent municipalities.
“Our efforts have now resulted positively as several members of the criminal gang have surrendered to the folds of the law,” Coop said in a media briefing here.
Coop said the Acumans have multiple warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated and attempted murders and illegal possession of high-powered firearms and ammunition.
During their surrender, he said the suspects surrendered an M16 riffle, M14 riffle, a .45-caliber pistol, and ammunition.
Coop vowed that PRO-10 will remain “proactive in the intelligence-driven operation with the active support of the community.”
Meanwhile, the PRO-10 also reported that at least 184 police operations in February alone resulted in the arrest of 227 drug personalities, the confiscation of 531 grams of shabu worth PHP3.6 million, and 4,062 grams of marijuana worth PHP487,440.
At least 177 law enforcement operations targeting loose firearms also yielded 22 arrests and 56 firearms confiscated and recovered.
Fifty-six firearms were also turned in by their owners for safekeeping during the implementation of “Oplan Katok.”
On the other hand, PRO-10 also reported the arrest of 448 wanted persons in February. During the same period, Coop said the government’s offensive efforts against communist rebels were sustained, as manifested by 17 arrested New People’s Army rebels. (Nef Luzon/PNA)

9 ka asosayon sa ‘ex-NPA rebels’ nakadawat og P900K gikan sa Valencia LGU

Siyam ka rehistradong ‘peoples organization sa kanhi mga rebelde sa New Peoples Army 9NPA) ang nakadawat og P900,000 gikan sa lokal nga kagamhanan sa Valencia City, Bukidnon, niadtong Enero 11

Ang Philippine Information Agency nitaho nga alayon kini sa pag-pursige ug kadasig sa mga kanhi rebelde aron mo-asenso ug mo-uswag ang ilang panginabuhi human sila mibiya sa Komunistang grupo.

Ang matag isa sa siyam ka organisasyon gihatagan og tag P100,000.

Ang siyam ka asosasyon mao ang Farmers Revival Association; Domago-ok Farmers Association; Samahan ng mga Balik-Loob Association; Pag-asa Womens Association Pig Dispersal; Barangay Mabuhay Farmers Association; Samahan ng mga Kababaihan ng Laligan; Bulacao Riders Organization; Laligan Curvada Spring Association; ug Laligan Farmers Association.

Si Legal Officer Atty. Marlowe Selecios niingon nga giseguro ni Valencia City Mayor Azucena Huervas nga gahinan sa pundo ang siyam ka asosasyon aron magsilbing ‘start-up capital’ sa ex-rebels nga nibalik sa gobyerno. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)