ILOILO City – Authorities have filed 12 counts of terrorism financing against two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Visayas, marking one of the region’s most significant legal offensives yet against the underground funding networks of the rebel movement.
The accused, identified only by their aliases “Ruben Lorca”, also known as “Dagul” or “Arsen”, and “Benj”, are facing multiple charges under both Republic Act (RA) 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 and RA 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
According to Colonel Erwin Lamzon, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), the complaints were lodged before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) here. These include six counts of violating Section 8 (i) of RA 10168, two counts under Section 4 of the same law, and additional charges under Section 12 of RA 11479.
The cases stemmed from a complaint filed by contractor Engineer Nestor Rodriguez of Aklan, who received a demand letter from the suspects asking for a large sum of money.
With police assistance, Rodriguez later became a witness in an entrapment operation, identifying “Benj” and “Ruben” as involved in financing terrorist activities.
Financing as ‘lifeblood’ of NPA
Prosecutor II Flosemer Chris Gonzales, spokesperson of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Region 6, stressed that the charges are backed by solid evidence.
“The money, resources, and logistical items illegally obtained by the so-called revolutionary taxation group of the Communist Party of the Philippines – National Democratic Front – NPA are being used to buy weapons, explosives, and supplies. These also fund recruitment, political actions, and anti-government activities,” Gonzales said.
He praised Rodriguez for his courage in testifying and urged other victims of extortion to follow suit.
Army, police stress united front
Lamzon underscored that the filing of the cases was the product of close collaboration between the military, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“These are not baseless accusations. They are the product of thorough investigation and collaboration. The State is resolute in cutting off terrorism financing in Western Visayas,” Lamzon declared.
Police Regional Office 6 director, Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, said stopping the flow of funds is crucial in crippling terrorist operations.
“Financing is one of the lifebloods of terrorism. By cutting it off, we weaken their capacity to sow fear, violence, and destruction. But security is not the job of uniformed services alone, it is a shared responsibility,” Ligan said.
He assured the public that the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other agencies will continue to pursue rebel financiers and supporters.
Authorities confirmed that the suspects remain at large but are now being tracked.
“Once the warrants of arrest are issued, they will be apprehended immediately,” Ligan added.
‘Final push’
Since May of this year, the 3ID has been escalating combat operations in Panay Island in what may be the final push to dismantle the remaining units of the NPA.
But even amid the intensified offensives, Major General Michael Samson, 3ID commander, is extending an olive branch to NPA holdouts.
“Don’t waste your life on a non-sense belief. There is still a chance to change and live peacefully,” Samson appealed, urging the remaining insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace the government’s reintegration program.
The 3ID’s campaign aims to end the decades-long communist insurgency in Panay within the year, as military units close in on remaining rebel forces.
“Better to choose the path of peace while there is still a chance,” Samson stressed.
He emphasized that government troops are committed to making the lives of insurgents in the mountains “miserable,” in the hope that hardship and hopelessness will prompt them to reconsider their fight.
“We continuously make their lives in the mountains miserable, and this would eventually make them realize that the armed struggle is actually a useless cause as they would never win against our forces,” he said.
Despite the intensified military action, the 3ID remains open to surrenderers, encouraging rebels to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which offers benefits and support to former combatants who choose to return to civilian life.
“If they refuse and continue to fight the Armed Forces, they would suffer death,” Samson warned bluntly.
Major blow
In one of the biggest setbacks for communist rebels in Western Visayas in recent years, the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) neutralized nine NPA members and seized 28 firearms in 20 armed encounters from 2024 to 2025.
The majority of clashes took place in Calinog, Iloilo, and Tapaz, Capiz — areas long considered rebel strongholds.
Military records show that of the 34 firearms accounted for, 24 were high-powered rifles and four were low-powered guns, mostly recovered during combat operations, from arms caches, and through surrenders.
Two of the encounters were major engagements that resulted in nine rebel fatalities.
“We will continue to hunt them, but it’s better for them to surrender. Our government is ready to help them. Ilan nalang sila na nasa area natin,” said 12IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Vicel Jan Garsuta.
Officials credited the cooperation of former insurgents as instrumental in these successes, underscoring stronger community support for government efforts to dismantle the insurgency.
With fewer active fighters and shrinking firepower, the Army said the NPA’s presence in Western Visayas is now at its weakest point in decades./PN
