Death of top NPA leaders signals end of Panay insurgency – Army

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division stated over the weekend that the decades-long existence of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Panay is nearing its end following the deaths of its top three leaders.

With no strong leadership left, the 3rd ID leadership said it was inevitable that the group would soon crumble and fall apart.

Major General Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, emphasized that the collapse of the NPA on Panay Island was not the result of an overnight effort.

On Friday, August 16, the 3rd ID confirmed the recovery of three bodies at an encounter site in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao,

Iloilo. They were later identified as Ma. Concepcion “Concha” Araneta-Bocala, Vivian Torato Teodosio, and Vicente Hinojales.

Concha was the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) 1st deputy secretary of Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P), while Teodosio was the 2nd deputy secretary of CPP-NPA’s KR-P, and Hinojales was the KR-P’s secretary.

Bocala’s and Teodosio’s bodies were recovered around 4:45 p.m. on August 15 following an encounter an hour earlier.

Bocala, a resident of Barangay Pueblo, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, was wanted for murder and had a ₱5.3 million bounty on her head. She was the wife of Reynaldo Bocala, who formerly led the NPA regional Finance Bureau and was killed while resisting arrest by government forces in Pavia, Iloilo, in May 2021.

Before the encounter, soldiers also discovered another body around noon in Cabatangan village.

The decomposing body was believed to be that of Hinojales, a former secretary of Guerilla Front 14 of the NPA in Mindanao. Hinojales hailed from Barangay Linao, Matalam, North Cotabato.

Sison stated that the deaths of Bocala, Hinojales, and Teodosio, along with several other high-ranking officials of KR-P and CF (W), mark the end of the decades-long insurgency in Panay.

“Hence, I urge the remaining NPAs to lay down their arms and choose a path of peace. Your leaders have met their fate. You should not suffer the same. It is high time for you to embrace a future free from violence and live a peaceful life with your family and loved ones,” he said.

Sison also commended the operating troops for their relentless efforts, commitment, and perseverance in conducting focused military operations to end the local communist armed conflict, particularly in Panay.

He attributed the success of these combat operations to the effective, efficient, and seamless implementation of Executive Order No. 70, which institutionalizes the Whole-of-Nation Approach in ending the local communist armed conflict.

“The successful result of our combat operations was made possible through the continuous implementation of EO 70. Because of the thorough coordination, collaboration, and cooperation of all stakeholders, guided by the principles of a whole-of-nation and whole-of-government approach, we have won the essential element in fighting the insurgents – the unwavering support of the communities,” he said.

The 3rd ID chief also cited the support of local chief executives and the people of Panay, especially in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas where the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) sought refuge.

Retrieval of Cadavers

On Sunday, the 3rd ID stated it is making serious efforts to retrieve the cadavers of the three NPA top leaders.

While choppers were available to airlift the bodies after the encounter, inclement weather, thick clouds, and the possible presence of armed elements in the designated pick-up zone prevented them from proceeding with the plan.

“Our troops carried the cadavers by foot to the nearest accessible road, which took them at least three days to trek,” the 3rd ID said in a press statement.

“Our soldiers crossed steep slopes and slippery terrain, putting themselves at risk and facing health hazards [as one of the bodies was in an advanced stage of decomposition] to bring the cadavers down for proper hand-over to the LGU, MHO, and local PNP of Lambunao,” it added.

As of Saturday, the families of the slain NPAs had been informed and were constantly provided with updates on the status of the cadavers.

The 3rd ID also assured that its soldiers on the ground are doing their best to speed up the retrieval of the cadavers.