Julia Christine Botin

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED)— The Philippine Army on Friday said its ongoing security operations in Occidental Mindoro were in response to community reports of armed rebels in Abra de Ilog during a unilateral ceasefire that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) had declared.According to Col. Michael Aquino, spokesperson of the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID),  troops figured in a series of encounters with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members in Sitio Mamara in Barangay Cabacao after residents reported the presence of armed individuals in the area.Troops from the 76th Infantry (Victrix) Battalion, 1st Infantry (Always First) Battalion, 59th Infantry (Protector) Battalion, and 5th Scout Ranger Battalion launched a focused operation following the information.“Siyempre, we know it’s New Year’s Day. It’s actionable information na galing sa communities natin, so naglunsad ng operation ngayon ang ating brigade, ang ating operating troops,” Aquino told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/15/pnp-maintains-security-posture-despite-cpp-npa-4-day-ceasefire-1340">PNP maintains security posture despite CPP-NPA 4-day ceasefire </a></div>He said there were three encounters with the suspected rebels.The encounters left two soldiers wounded. The injured personnel were airlifted via Black Hawk helicopter to the V. Luna General Hospital in Quezon City.“Kasalukuyang ginagamot na sila doon,” Aquino said. “May sugat sa paa at isa wounded sa tiyan.”Casualties on the rebels’ side are still being verified. The military recovered identification cards and personal belongings from the encounter site.“May pictures, may [identification cards] na nandun. Iniimbestigahan pa kung itong mga narecover ay sa personalities na nandun.”The National Democratic Front of the Philippines, in a statement, has confirmed the death of Jerlyn Rose Doydora, whom it said &quot;succumbed to an illness during the period of intensified aerial bombardment and ground assaults in the area.&quot;The NDFP also said Doydora was among a group from Metro Manila &quot;integrating&quot; with Mangyan and local communities and with members of the NPA.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/12/24/3-npa-leaders-2-members-killed-in-camsur-clash-2311">3 NPA leaders, 2 members killed in CamSur clash</a></div><div> </div><div>2ID: &#x27;GOOD PROGRESS&#x27; VS NPA IN SOUTHERN TAGALOG</div>Aquino described the group encountered as remnants of the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya – Island Committee Mindoro (KLG ICM), noting that only a few fighters remain in the area.He said the 2ID has made &quot;good progress&quot; in the region, where he said the NPA is looking for a &quot;last area&quot; where its fighters can hide.“Sa Mindoro, malaking area ito. May mga kabundukan pa na pwede nilang pagtaguan. May areas pa rin na pwede silang manlinlang ng mga katutubo natin,” the official explained.He added the division is &quot;relentless&quot; in its operations, which are conducted even on holidays like the New Year celebrations.In a statement, CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena claimed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines attacked an NPA unit that was supposedly observing a unilateral ceasefire from December 31 to January 1.He alleged that the unit was in the area to provide medical and other services to local communities, mostly Mangyan residents, and accused the military of using heavy gunfire and helicopter gunships that caused stress and trauma among civilians.The Philippines Army rejected the accusations and stressed the CPP&#x27;s ceasefire does not apply to the government, especially when “troops on the ground face armed threats.”Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said the 2ID was conducting legitimate security operations to protect communities and its personnel when the encounters occurred.Meanwhile, Kabataan Partylist Representative and Assistant Minority Leader Atty. Renee Co condemned the reported bombing and strafing operations.&quot;These operations do not ‘protect’ communities, these terrorize them,&quot; Co said in a statement released a day after the New Year. &quot;The government cannot claim to uphold peace and development while dropping bombs during New Year celebrations.&quot;Co also warned that militarization in rural and ancestral lands often goes hand in hand with rights violations such as threats, harassment, and red-tagging of local leaders and community organizations.

Army: Troops in clashes with NPA in Occidental Mindoro were acting on community reports

Army: Troops in clashes with NPA in Occidental Mindoro were acting on community reports