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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP defends anti-Communist insurgency operation in Occidental Mindoro on New Year's Day

AFP defends anti-Communist insurgency operation in Occidental Mindoro on New Year's Day

Published Jan 3, 2026 03:58 pm
Troops from the Philippine Army's (PA) 76th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Battalion, 59th Infantry Battalion, and 5th Scout Ranger Battalion encounter in three separate clashes the remnants of the dismantled Komiteng Larangang Gerilya–Island Committee Mindoro (KLG-ICM) under the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC) of the New People;'s Army (NPA) at Sitio Mamara, Barangay Cabacao in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. (Courtesy of 2nd Infantry Division)
Troops from the Philippine Army's (PA) 76th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Battalion, 59th Infantry Battalion, and 5th Scout Ranger Battalion encounter in three separate clashes the remnants of the dismantled Komiteng Larangang Gerilya–Island Committee Mindoro (KLG-ICM) under the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC) of the New People;'s Army (NPA) at Sitio Mamara, Barangay Cabacao in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. (Courtesy of 2nd Infantry Division)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines asserted that its security operations against suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, were a legitimate response to armed threats despite criticisms from human rights groups and progressive lawmakers.
In a statement, the AFP rejected allegations by Karapatan that its troops carried out indiscriminate aerial strafing and bombings in civilian areas. The military said the operation was intelligence-driven and aimed at remnants of the NPA operating in Barangay Cabacao.
“The operation was a legitimate, intelligence-driven mission against communist terrorist group (CTG) members who continue to threaten communities with violence,” the AFP said in a statement.
“Air support was used only to protect troops on the ground, in full compliance with the Rules of Engagement and with strict regard for civilian safety. No civilian communities were targeted,” it added.
According to the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), troops from the 76th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Battalion, 59th Infantry Battalion, and the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion encountered remnants of the dismantled Komiteng Larangang Gerilya–Island Committee Mindoro (KLG-ICM) under the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee at Sitio Mamara, Barangay Cabacao, resulting in three successive encounters on Jan. 1.
One soldier was wounded during one of the encounters while casualties on the NPA’s side were still being verified, it said.
The AFP said the encounters happened despite the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) declaration of a temporary holiday ceasefire, calling the truce “deceptive”. The CPP earlier announced a unilateral ceasefire from Dec. 25 to 26, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2026.
“Their unilateral truce earlier announced was merely a calculated ‘ruse’ intended to catch our security forces off guard. The AFP did not bite,” the military said.
“We refused to be lulled into complacency by these treacherous tactics and remained vigilant, knowing fully well that the terrorist group uses such declarations only to mask their preparations for further atrocities,” it added.
The AFP also pointed to the capture of 42 anti-personnel mines and more than 100 homemade grenades in Occidental Mindoro on December 31.
“These recoveries show that armed groups continued to prepare banned weapons intended to harm soldiers and civilians,” the AFP said.
The 2ID said clearing operations are continuing in the area to prevent NPA elements from regrouping. It also urged residents to report suspicious movements to authorities.
Human rights alliance Karapatan earlier condemned what it described as aerial strafing and bombing operations in mountainous areas of Occidental Mindoro where civilian communities are located. The group cited accounts from residents and social media posts showing military helicopters in the area for several hours on New Year’s Day.
Karapatan claimed the operations violated international humanitarian law and endangered civilians, including indigenous communities. It also called for an investigation by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and for the suspension of military operations in the area.
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co echoed the criticism as she noted that the air strikes and bombings terrorized communities instead of protecting them. She warned that militarization in rural areas leads to rights violations.

Related Tags

AFP Occidental Mindoro NPA Karapatan Kabataan human rights insurgency Communist insurgency
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