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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Ex-NPA leader falls to authorities in Nueva Ecija

Ex-NPA leader falls to authorities in Nueva Ecija

Published Aug 31, 2026 02:45 pm
CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela — The remaining pillar of what was once a formidable communist rebel structure operating in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions has fallen into the hands of authorities.
John Lee Hondrado, alias “Lig-on,” an alleged remnant of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) and former leader of the dismantled Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) North Abra, was arrested in Nueva Ecija in what security forces described as a major blow to the remaining network of the group.
The Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID) said Hondrado was arrested in Barangay Parista, Lupao, Nueva Ecija, on August 21 in a joint operation with the Philippine National Police (PNP), including the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
The military described Hondrado as the last remaining member of the ICRC, a development that could signal the final collapse of the regional communist structure that once operated across parts of the Cordillera and Northern Luzon.
Hondrado, also identified as a former leader of KLG North Abra, had allegedly remained at large even after the guerrilla unit was dismantled.
Authorities arrested him while serving warrants for attempted homicide and violations of laws on the illegal manufacture, sale, acquisition, possession, and ownership of firearms and ammunition.
His arrest came five months after security forces launched a sweeping crackdown against alleged ICRC members.
On March 11, authorities arrested 10 alleged active members of the ICRC in simultaneous operations in Fairview, Quezon City, and Tarlac City. The suspects were allegedly linked to rebel operations in Abra, Kalinga, and Apayao.
The arrests were followed by the surrender of two other high-ranking communist terrorist group officials in Tabuk City, Kalinga, bringing the total number of persons accounted for in the earlier operations to 12.
Among those identified was Gabriel Kennedy Lao-ing Bangibang, described as a former KLG Baggas secretary and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant. He is now detained at the BJMP-Kalinga District Jail.
Also identified were Theresa Falitnang Forag, an alleged ICRC member from Abra, and Javar Anglao Sugao, described as a former KLG Baggas intelligence officer and alleged vice commanding officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kalinga.
Other alleged members included Renato Ginez, Rani Francella Tuazon, Marc Arriane Mendiola y Tolentino, and Bobby Calsiyao Yag-ao, a former KLG Baggas member and alleged NPA Abra assistant medic.
The earlier suspects were wanted for offenses ranging from attempted and frustrated murder to qualified trafficking in persons and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
With Hondrado now in custody, government security forces believe they may have closed in on what was left of the ICRC’s once-sprawling network.
However, authorities are not yet declaring the fight over.
Security forces continue to track possible underground operatives and supporters and are monitoring any attempt to rebuild or revive dismantled communist structures in the Cordillera and Northern Luzon.

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