'NPA in Northern Luzon on the run'

From the Manila Times (Oct 1, 2021): 'NPA in Northern Luzon on the run' (By Leander C. Domingo)

THE Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claims the communist movement in Northern Luzon is now on the run as a result of a series of setbacks it suffered from government forces.

Maj. Israel Galorio, Nolcom public information office chief, said the 5th Infantry Division (ID) based at Camp Melchor F. dela Cruz in Gamu town in Isabela province simultaneously overran two communist New People's Army (NPA) lairs in the provinces of Bontoc and Cagayan on Tuesday.

Galorio added that the 5th ID's 77th Infantry Battalion and 86th IB encountered a group of communist rebels under Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) East of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV) in Barangay Dungeg, Santa Teresita town, Cagayan.

On that same day, he said members of the 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company under the operational control of the 54th IB encountered another group of rebels under KLG Ampis at Barangay Mainit in Bontoc town, Mountain Province.

"This encounter resulted in the death of two communist rebels who were later identified as Wilfredo Gaayon alias Jas, leader of Squad Uno of KLG Ampis and Ernesto Lucaben Jr. alias Lando, a member of the said group," Galorio added.


More rebels yield due to exhaustion – Nolcom

He said the soldiers recovered two M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, nine anti-personnel mines, five M14 magazine assemblies with 70 rounds of live ammunition, three AK47 magazine assemblies with 20 rounds of live ammunition, two rifle grenades, two hand grenades, three 40 mm live ammunition, two commercial radios and other war materials.

According to Galorio, members of the 501st Infantry Brigade encountered on September 21 some 40 communist rebels under Komiteng Probinsya Cagayan of the KR-CV, prompting the government troops to call for close air support.

He said this also resulted in the death of five communist rebels and the recovery of three M16 rifles; five improvised explosive devices or IEDs; five hand-held radios; four mobile phones; seven 40 mm live ammunition; and other war materials as well as several subversive documents.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, 5th ID commander, expressed his certainty of putting an end to the communist rebellion.

NPA rebels surrender in Isabela

"We've been at odds for more than generations mired in the never-ending cycle of violence caused by these rebels. Nevertheless, it is changing now, we have gained our momentum and we will continue to intensify our efforts in ensuring that the communist rebels in Northern Luzon will be totally eradicated," Mina said.

Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., Nolcom commander, lauded the troops for their unyielding efforts to defeat the communist rebels.

"These recent accomplishments manifested your unceasing desire to defeat the communist rebels while ensuring peace and progress for the community, which has long been denied to the people by these rebels," Burgos said.

He added that the series of debacles suffered by the NPA in Northern Luzon were not just simply losses but critical elements that will eventually cause their organization to crumble.

7 'tired and weary' NPA rebels surrender

"They lost members who are not just ordinary members but personalities holding key leadership positions. These are apart from the continuous influx of surrenders from their ranks and the withdrawal of support from their mass bases," Burgos said.

He added that remnants of the communist rebels in Northern Luzon are exhausted and that the arms of justice will eventually catch up with them.

"[If] you value your life and the future of your family, abandon the armed struggle and avail of the government's local integration program. A new beginning awaits you and your loved ones, grab the opportunity while you still can," Burgos told the rebels.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/01/news/regions/npa-in-northern-luzon-on-the-run/1816730