Army aims to neutralize Panay rebels by September 2024

By Jennifer P. Rendon

With around 23 combatants remaining, the New People’s Army (NPA) in Panay Island is seen as nearing its end.

Major General Marion Sison, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, stated that they aim to neutralize the remaining NPA combatants by September 2024, a target they believe is achievable.

During the August 13 “Kapitan Sa Bagong Pilipinas” program, Sison noted that recent encounters in Central Panay, which resulted in the deaths of seven NPA combatants, have further diminished the strength of the communist terrorist group (CTG) in the area.

“Those 23, if they refuse to give in or pursue peace, they will eventually be wiped out,” he said.

Currently, the group possesses around 31 high-powered firearms as they continue their armed struggle.

However, Sison emphasized that this firepower is insufficient to challenge the 301st Infantry Brigade and its three battalions – the 12th, 61st, and 82nd Infantry Battalions.

“All our troops are in the mountains. No one is coming down or going home,” he said.

The NPA previously maintained three active fronts in Panay – the Central Front, the Eastern Front, and the Southern Front.

The Eastern Front was declared dismantled in 2021, and the Southern Front followed in the first quarter of 2024.

The Central Front is now considered weakened and is expected to be dismantled by September 2024.

Once dismantled, Sison said they could move to designate the area with a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status, paving the way for its declaration as insurgency-free.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Michael Samson, commander of the 301st Brigade, said the goal to dismantle the Central Front is within reach.

“We have been conducting focused military operations in the area. We already see the eventual collapse of the Central Front,” he said.

Given the current situation, Samson noted that the remaining NPA members would soon realize that their fight is futile.

“The communities and even the families of the rebels and former rebels understand that continuing their armed struggle is pointless,” he said.

Samson emphasized that the military takes no pleasure in encounters that result in casualties.

However, he added, sometimes applying pressure is necessary to make them realize that fighting the government is futile.

“We are looking forward to a peaceful resolution to our anti-insurgency efforts,” Samson said.

“But for those who insist on fighting, we will pursue them to the last member. We are a legitimate force, mandated by the Constitution to go after them.”

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is expected to suffer a significant blow following the deaths of its ranking leaders in recent armed clashes with Philippine Army soldiers in Calinog, Iloilo.

In the August 5 encounter, one rebel was killed, and a cache of guns and ammunition was recovered in Barangay Aglonok, Calinog.

Two days later, another rebel was killed in an encounter in Lambunao town. On August 8, at least three armed clashes occurred, leading to the deaths of five rebels.