ILOILO City — The communist insurgency in Western Visayas is nearing complete collapse, according to the military as it claims to be monitoring only about 10 remaining New People’s Army (NPA) rebels believed to be operating in isolated portions of Tapaz, Capiz.
The commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), Major General Michael Samson, said the few remaining armed rebels have been reduced to “survival mode” following years of sustained military offensives and intensified community-based intelligence operations that dismantled all active guerrilla fronts in the region.
“The campaign against insurgency in Western Visayas, particularly in Panay and Guimaras, has been highly successful,” Samson said.
Samson disclosed that the remaining rebels were last monitored in the mountainous area of Tapaz, which he described as the group’s “last stand” to prevent spillover into nearby provinces.
“At present, there are no new sightings or monitored movements. We are now verifying whether these remaining members have completely disbanded or gone AWOL,” Samson said.
The 3ID chief said military operations over the past three years effectively dismantled the Southern Front operating in Iloilo’s 1st District and crippled the Central Front covering portions of Maasin, Lambunao, Calinog, Tapaz, and Libacao in Aklan Province.
“There are no longer any monitored sightings or rebel presence in these areas,” Samson said.
Despite the gains, Samson warned that insurgent groups historically attempt to reorganize when security vigilance weakens, prompting the military to urge local government units, communities, media organizations, and the private sector to remain alert and immediately report suspicious activities linked to armed groups.
“Maintaining security ensures that government agencies can safely deliver essential services and development programs to far-flung communities without fear,” he said.
Samson also highlighted the government’s reintegration efforts, saying 442 former rebels in Western Visayas have already applied for amnesty following the collapse of the region’s guerrilla fronts.
Under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), former rebels receive financial and livelihood assistance to help them return to mainstream society.
Samson credited local government officials, including Iloilo Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr., for supporting reintegration initiatives that encouraged more rebels to surrender.
“The assistance has encouraged more members to surrender and avail themselves of government amnesty,” he said.
The 3ID commander added that during his tenure, the division conducted 59 intelligence-driven military operations, most of them based on information provided by local residents in remote areas bordering Antique, Iloilo, Aklan, and Capiz.
Samson stressed that continued public cooperation would be essential in sustaining peace gains and ensuring Western Visayas remains insurgency-free./PN
