ILOILO CITY — The Philippine Army announced the end of the decades-long insurgency in Panay following the death of several top officials of communist terrorist groups (CTGs) in recent clashes in Iloilo province.
"The deaths [of the CTG leaders] along with several other high-ranking officials of Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P) and Central Front (CF) mark an end of the decades-long insurgency in Panay," said Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), in a statement.
A firefight with government troops in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao, Iloilo on August 15 led to the death of Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala, alias "Inday/Concha," and was the former secretary and deputy secretary of KR-P, and Vivian Torato Teodosio, alias "Muray/Minerva," who was the secretary of CF-KRP.
Bocala, a resident of Barangay Pueblo, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, was a high-profile figure with a P5.3-million bounty on her head for the crime of murder.
She was arrested in August 2015 in Iloilo City but had jumped bail after her temporary release in 2016 to participate in peace talks in Norway.
Bocala was also convicted of murder in 2019 by the Taguig City Court for the death of Metodio Inisa in Madalag, Aklan in September 1975.
On the same day, troops discovered the decomposing body of Vicente Hinojales, the regional secretary of KR-P, at Sitio Igdagmay in Barangay Cabatangan.
According to military records, Hinojales had pending warrants of arrest for a string of criminal cases in Agusan del Sur, including destructive arson and two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
In August alone, the Army engaged in six encounters with the rebels, resulting in the neutralization of 10 CTG members and the seizure of 14 high-powered and two low-powered firearms.
Lt. Col. Israel Gloria, Viscom public information officer, said the intense encounter occurred on Aug. 15, 2024. Among the recovered firearms were three M16 assault rifles, one M79 grenade launcher, one 7.62 assault rifle, one shotgun along with several assorted ammunition, handheld radio, and mobile phones.
With the goal of declaring Panay Island under a Stable Internal Peace and Security status by September this year, Sison urged the remaining rebels to surrender, emphasizing that the CTG will never win the fight.
"I urge the remaining New People's Army (NPA) to lay down their arms and choose a path of peace. Your leaders have met their fate. You should not suffer the same," he said.
"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 added.
The Army said that it had already "weakened" the CF and KR-P in December 2021 and dismantled the other eight guerrilla fronts of the NPA in the Western Visayas region and the province of Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, commander of Viscom, commended the troops for their commitment to peace and security in Panay Island.
"The successful neutralization of the CPP-NPA top leaders in Panay is a clear manifestation of your unwavering commitment to end the reign of terror that the terrorist group has inflicted upon our communities in the Visayas region, particularly in Panay Island," Reyeg said.
"The neutralization of their top leaders marks a significant victory in our ongoing efforts to establish security and stability for our people in the region," he said.
"This latest development in our security efforts is not just a gain for the military but also for every Filipino who desires to live in a peaceful and secured environment," said Reyeg.
"Rest assured that we will continue to pursue the remnants of the CPP-NPA to ensure that the sacrifices of our soldiers and the plea for justice of our people are not in vain," Reyeg said.
WITH REPORTS FROM FRANCISCO TUYAY