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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider NPA eyeing foreign fighters, says military

NPA eyeing foreign fighters, says military

Published Apr 8, 2026 01:23 pm
CAMP NAKAR, Lucena City – The military disclosed that the New People’s Army (NPA) plans to integrate foreign recruits into their ranks, handwritten notes found during the March 29 encounter in Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro said.
The Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command said these were recovered by troops from the 2nd Infantry Division. They appeared to be diary-style entries written in fluent English, with timestamps beginning as early as March 11, and documented the daily experiences of a person staying with the communist rebels.
A checklist of items needed for movement in rugged terrain was listed. One entry mentioned a plan after the writer’s stay in the mountains, including “explore alternative routes around Taft.”
Some passages were reflections about life in the armed movement. One entry said: “In the countryside, you aren’t nearly bossed down ideologically. The forces of imperialism are weaker in a sense. Everyone’s clear-sighted, clear-minded. The objective is right there: To triumph over the enemy.”
The entries were written in conversational English, suggesting the writer may have been accustomed to using the language in daily communication, the military said.
Chantal Anicoche, a Filipino-American who was rescued by troops days after a gun battle on Jan. 1 in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, disclosed that she traveled to Mindoro together with another Filipino-American, Cristina Pasion.
Anicoche said that they remained together in Mindoro until they were separated after the encounter.
Pasion was expected to return to the United States on March 14 but did not appear for her departure at the airport.
The Buklod Kapayapaan Federation, a national organization composed of former rebels and peace advocates, identified Pasion as among the individuals involved in the encounter.
Capt. Dean Buen Oyando was killed and two soldiers were wounded in the March 29 gunfight.
An NPA amazon, Charleze Garzon, was found near the body of Oyando. She was taken into government custody. Garzon is facing a murder charge.

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NPA San Jose Occidental Mindoro
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