ILOILO City – “We are now on the winning ground,” declared the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army.
The New People’s Army (NPA) not only in Panay Island but in the entire Western Visayas is being deemed as significantly weakened, with an estimated “80 percent paralysis” of its operations, said Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, spokesperson for the 3ID.
This setback follows the recent deaths of 10 of its high-ranking officials in clashes with government troops.
Javines said the rebel organization suffered a crippling blow due to the loss of key leadership figures. Among the deceased are Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala and Rewilmar “Vivian” Torato Teodosio, who were killed in a government operation on August 15 in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao, Iloilo.
Additionally, Vicente Hinojales was found deceased in a state of decomposition after an earlier encounter, also in Lambunao.
“These leaders were integral to their network. Their loss has essentially paralyzed their operational capabilities,” Javines said.
He added, “We have repeatedly encouraged their surrender, but these offers were refused, leading to the unfortunate outcomes.”
For its part, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) is optimistic that Western Visayas can be declared insurgency-free by 2028, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal to eradicate insurgency nationwide by the end of his term.
Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of PRO-6, praised the efforts of their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), citing continuous operations that have led to numerous surrenders by members of the NPA across various police stations.
“We are witnessing their success in this war. Many have already surrendered, having no other recourse but to abandon their pursuits due to relentless AFP operations,” Wanky told Panay News.
In recent heavy NPA-Panay casualties, Bocala, known as “Concha”, was a critical figure within the NPA, serving as the 1st Deputy Secretary for the Komiteng Rehiyon (KR) – Panay and a consultant for the National Democratic Front (NDF) from Manduriao, Iloilo City.
Teodosio, also referred to by aliases Minerva, Mara, and Moray, was the Secretary of the Central Front, KR-Panay, and was from Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
Hinojales who was originally from Barangay Linao, Matalam, North Cotabato, was noted for his previous role as secretary of the Guerilla Front 14 in Mindanao before relocating to Panay Island in 2017.
Previously, Wanky acknowledged the significant presence of NPA groups in the region, especially on Panay Island.
Now, he has he noted a marked weakening of these groups, attributing the decline to effective military and police actions, including the apprehension of Francisco “Ka Tonying” Balaois, a key NPA-Panay figure facing multiple charges including murder, robbery, and rebellion, just this June.
The capture of “Ka Tonying” has reportedly disrupted the NPA’s ability to organize violence in communities.
Other recent deceased local NPA leaders were Aurelio Bosque, 57, alias Burnok, Bayjan, Sarco, and Boy, a resident of Barangay Carvasana, Calinog, Iloilo; Jovelyn Silverio alias Darlyn, Kaykay, Akay, and Porang, a resident of Barangay Patria, Pandan, Antique; Armando Rogelio Sabares alias Kamlon, Nene, Kulot, and Nono, a resident of Barangay Igcaratong, San Joaquin, Iloilo; Rumulo Ituriaga Gangoso alias Reagan, Pedik, and Randay, a resident of Sitio Tuwang-tuwangan, Barangay Bungsuan, Dumarao, Capiz; and, Jielmor Gauranoc, alias Doc, Tango, Baron, a resident of Barangay Aras-asan, Sebaste, Antique; and Benjamin Cortel alias Mamang/Amor of Sitio Tabionan, Barangay Bucari, Leon, Iloilo and political officer of RHQ, KR-P.
Wanky hinted at the impending regional declaration of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), which indicates readiness for development and a diminished influence of NPA within local barangays.
Addressing potential NPA activities at the barangay level, Wanky explained that these have largely shifted towards criminal activities such as extortion, distancing further from communist ideological instillation within communities.
In support of the AFP’s efforts, PRO-6 has deployed 319 personnel to strategically selected rural and urban barangays, identified as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantage Areas (GIDA). This initiative aims to prevent any resurgence of communist activities and insulate communities from drug proliferation while facilitating access to government services./PN
