Members of the Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division headquarters in Catbalogan City, Samar. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)
MANILA – “No guerrilla fronts remain active across the country today. Only seven weakened groups remain to be dismantled, and they are the subject of focused operations. But along with the assertion of government might, we also offer peace, community development, and reintegration programs for those who have returned to the fold of the law.”
Thus declared President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his third State of the Nation Address in July 2024.
Thanks to the Marcos administration’s genuine effort to achieve national peace and security, the age-old threats of insurgency and terrorism are finally coming to an end.
With the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other agencies of government working double time, progress in the search for peace has been swift and effective.
A safer, more secure, and peaceful Philippines
For decades, insurgents and communist terrorist groups (CTGs) have threatened people’s lives, safety and security; disrupted peace; and hindered development.
The AFP has been focused on eliminating these threats and taking decisive action to make the country safer and ready to face more pressing challenges.
Over time, it has succeeded in keeping these threats at bay as more provinces become insurgency-free and secure from the threat of these groups. Voluntary surrenders and elimination of extremist combatants have led to peace in so-called “white areas.”
In an April 2024 press briefing, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the AFP’s yearend target was to dismantle the remaining 11 New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla fronts.
“Our goal is to dismantle the 11 weakened guerrilla fronts by the end of the year,” he said.
And so, as of December 2024, only one of the seven groups mentioned by the President remained to be dismantled.
“From the previous seven weakened guerrilla fronts, we’re just left with one that we’re seeing if we can declare dismantled,” said Col. Francel Padilla, AFP spokesperson.
Pagkakaisa is key to victory
With internal threats virtually eliminated, the Philippines is shifting its focus to external defense as the administration vigorously pursues its vision of “Bagong Pilipinas.”
The AFP is leading a new path for the country’s security.
The AFP PLEDS (Peace, Law Enforcement, Development Support) Plan Pagkakaisa embraces national unity to build lasting peace and stability.
This plan outlines how the military will solidify efforts to end insurgency and strengthen territorial defense.
Local leaders and national officials have spoken about the successes of this approach in the past. They point to the clearing of once-troubled provinces and the steady move toward external defense.
The plan does not require wiping out every single adversary. Instead, it aims to dismantle the system that fuels conflict, allowing communities to thrive without fear. When the system is broken, it will be harder for insurgents to unite and plan.
Under the AFP PLEDS Plan Pagkakaisa, the focus lies on unity. The AFP believes that national progress depends on ending insurgency and defeating terrorism.
Brig. Gen. Eugene Mata, commander of the Philippine Army’s 502nd Infantry Brigade, put it plainly: “It does not mean total annihilation of enemy forces but rather the dismantling or destruction of its entire system.”
Once these networks are dismantled, communities become more resilient. Radical ideas find little room to grow and residents see hope instead of conflict. The plan also emphasizes working with the rest of the nation—local governments, the police, and other stakeholders—so security problems do not return.
One strong sign of progress under Pagkakaisa is the recent declaration of Cagayan Province as “insurgency-free.” During the 117th regular session of the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, local officials approved a resolution stating that Cagayan is “in a state of stable internal peace and security.”
Capt. Gavin Salalima, spokesperson for the 502nd Infantry Brigade, explained that the main reasons for this declaration included dismantling guerrilla fronts, neutralizing top insurgent leaders, and seeing many former rebels and their supporters return to normal life.
Mata stressed that even if a few members of a regional committee of the CPP-NPA remain, an area can still be called “insurgency-free” based on the AFP’s standards.
“Here in Cagayan province, we have totally destroyed the structure of the red and white areas. Our basic reference is the PLEDS Plan Pagkakaisa 2023-2028,” said Mata.
He explained that Pagkakaisa connects to the administration’s push for unity and peace, defining how the AFP will work with others to achieve what he calls “total victory.”
An “insurgency-free” province, like Cagayan, has become a model for what the Pagkakaisa plan hopes to achieve. When armed groups are cleared out, local governments gain the confidence to focus on development projects instead of wasting energy on these groups. Investors feel safer opening businesses, and farmers can work without fear of extortion, clashes, or physical injury.
As the AFP continues to implement the Pagkakaisa 2023-2028 plan, the Filipino people can expect more provinces to follow Cagayan’s lead. The eradication of insurgent activities, coupled with high-level support for modernization, lays a path where communities can flourish without constant worry about armed conflict. It also encourages everyone—from local farmers to national politicians—to see security and development as two parts of one larger goal, not just the government’s but also theirs.
Through coordination with the Philippine National Police, local councils, and other agencies, the AFP can sustain these successes over the long haul.
Bringing peace to Mindanao
The AFP is also confident of ending the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DIMG), following successful military operations that neutralized the groups key members. The Maute group gained infamy for its assault on Marawi City in May 2017, which led to a five-month conflict, leaving thousands of casualties and the city in ruins.
At a press briefing on Feb. 13, 2024, AFP spokesperson Padilla announced the deaths of 12 Maute members, the arrest of three others, and the voluntary surrender of three more.
“The Maute group is on the brink of collapse after a series of decisive military and joint law-enforcement operations, particularly targeting the leadership and perpetrators of the Mindanao State University … bombing in December 2023,” she said.
The bombing mastermind was killed in a recent military operation in Lanao del Sur. With their strength diminished, their trained bomber and combat-skilled members neutralized, the group’s capability to launch large-scale terror attack has been severely crippled, Padilla added.
Authorities noted no recruitment activities to date. Instead, two more alleged members have surrendered in Lanao del Norte.
Meanwhile, President Marcos pledged to continue rebuilding Marawi and allocated PhP1 billion for the victims of the siege.
The Marcos administration also remains steadfast in its peace-building efforts in Mindanao. The President has offered attractive economic incentives for rebels to return to the fold of the law.
On Dec. 16, 2024, 15 members of the BIFF ‘Bongos’ faction in Maguindanao del Sur surrendered and turned over high-caliber firearms to the AFP. The voluntary submission took place amid ongoing military operations in Central Mindanao and the offer of incentives by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Ministry of Social Services and Development.
Also in March 2024, 15 BIFF members from the Kagui Karialan faction surrendered in Maguindanao del Norte. One of them said they were persuaded to embrace peace after learning about the government’s offer of an economic package.
“Our struggle had no clear direction; we were blinded by promises, and we realized we were fighting a lost cause,” said the BIFF sub-leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He added that his group has renounced violent extremism.
In July 2024, President Marcos commended military forces in Mindanao for successfully minimizing the threats posed by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
“I have to congratulate all of you who have worked to achieve this success, who have worked very hard and have made many sacrifices so that we can now say that the capabilities of the main threat, which is the ASG, have been severely reduced,” the President said.
The municipal government of Hadji Mohammad Ajul (HMA) in Basilan was the last of the 11 towns in the province to be declared ASG-free. Isabela City in Basilan followed suit.
“The community’s resilience and the concerted efforts of all involved have finally borne fruit, leading to today’s declaration,” said Basilan Gov. Hadjiman Hataman Salliman.
In September 2024, an ASG member with a PhP600,000 bounty was arrested in Basilan. In October, a Taguig court convicted 17 ASG members involved in the 2000 kidnapping of 21 people in Malaysia.
Additionally, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. revealed that 26,145 former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were decommissioned in 2023 and “are now living as peaceful, productive civilians in their communities.”
“These former MILF combatants are now fighting a different battle—a battle to improve their socioeconomic well-being and create a better future for themselves and their families,” Galvez said.
The decommissioning process for former MILF combatants is part of the Normalization Program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), a pact signed by the government and the MILF in March 2014. Meanwhile, the Transformation Program for Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members was launched in October.
The initiative aims to improve the lives of former MNLF combatants while empowering them to serve as agents of peace and development. Since September 2022, the OPAPRU and the MNLF Peace Process Office have verified, validated, and profiled 1,963 MNLF members eligible for the socioeconomic package offered to surrenderers. In October 2024, around 400 of these members underwent security paper validation.
They also attended orientation to qualify for the cash-for-work program, membership in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and scholarships for their children. Each was given PhP45,000 in cash assistance and a food package from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Holistic approach, collaborative efforts
By maintaining pressure, the AFP can prevent these individuals and organizations from regrouping. This concerted effort by the military has led to more frequent encounters, highlighting the effectiveness and commitment of the Armed Forces toward this goal. As AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. explained, “Almost every day, we’re experiencing armed encounters—not just between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, but also with local terrorist groups.”
In a recent interview, AFP spokesperson Padilla disclosed that from Jan. 1 to Nov. 14, 2024, 212 LTG members surrendered, 12 were apprehended, and 52 were killed in military operations. A total of 274 firearms were seized or surrendered, 37 anti-personnel mines were recovered, and 14 encampments were seized.
She noted that the combination of focused military efforts and local peace engagements was “highly effective” in encouraging LTG members to surrender.
The AFP does not work alone. A holistic, collective approach, carried out through inter-agency collaboration and the active participation and vigilance of law-enforcement and local-government units, enhances the military’s ability to perform its duties and effectively dismantle these threat groups.
Strong internal security ensures that resources can be directed where they are needed most. With this in place, the AFP can help maintain peace, respond swiftly to disasters, and support infrastructure development. When foreign investors see that the country is stable and secure, they are more likely to put in capital to create jobs and strengthen local industries.
Addressing the communist threat is not just about combat operations. It involves a comprehensive approach focused on peace, disarmament, understanding, and development for all. At the core of this effort is the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) which is anchored on the “whole of nation” approach.
The NTF-ELCAC brings together relevant agencies through its 12 clusters and focuses on good governance, inclusivity, and information at every level.
During a 2023 meeting, the NTF-ELCAC reaffirmed its commitment to rescuing more communist insurgents and offering them the opportunity to reunite with their families and reintegrate into peaceful, productive lives.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Ernesto Torres Jr. cited the program’s roadmap to peace. He said that the NTF-ELCAC focuses on developing communities previously controlled by insurgents to prevent their resurgence in these areas.
Torres highlighted two key initiatives driving peace and development in former insurgent-controlled areas—the Barangay Development Program (BDP) and the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP).
Even former communist cadres have expressed support for the program.
“Before, we were clamoring and fighting for the government to help the poor, indigenous people. Through the NTF-ELCAC, all agencies are now working together, providing social services to the marginalized,” Pedro Arnado, former chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Southern Mindanao, said during a dialogue on Aug. 12, 2022.
Eyes on external defense
According to former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino, success in internal security will enable a focal shift to territorial defense. “Thanks to the tireless efforts, support, and cooperation of government agencies and various sectors of society, we have ensured the safety and welfare of our fellow citizens.”
With local threats under control, the AFP is now able to focus on external security—securing borders, monitoring the West Philippine Sea, and protecting interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The AFP leadership lauded the troops for complying with the directive to put closure to the internal security threats as the AFP shifts its focus toward external defense operations,” said then-AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Jorry Baclor.
This shift in defense policy is being implemented through the AFP’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. The military is now reassessing and redirecting its priorities to meet the nation’s most urgent and future security needs.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. discussed this new approach, stressing the need to adapt defense policies and strategies to address the evolving security challenges the nation faces. “We see this need now because there is a strong challenge to our sovereign rights,” Teodoro said.
The end of insurgency allows for a reallocation of resources to external-defense priorities, making this transition essential.
Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri recently visited both the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Army to learn about modernization plans connected to Pagkakaisa and other AFP initiatives. Zubiri assured the AFP of the Senate’s support as the military shifts from focusing on internal security to prioritizing territorial defense.
“Being from Mindanao, I have seen firsthand how the Army has taken great leaps to keep our communities safe, and how the Army has made way for rebel returnees,” Zubiri said, commending the AFP’s efforts. He added that with the right equipment and technology, the military can better serve the country.
A future more secure
Eliminating insurgency is a challenging task. The AFP must always stay vigilant, gather intelligence, collaborate with the Philippine National Police, and closely monitor communities. Yet, with each success—each dismantled guerrilla front—the country moves closer to a future where these threats are a thing of the past.
As internal threats fade, the nation can stand stronger on the global stage, confident in its ability to defend its territory, work with her neighbors, and maintain peace—a goal central to the AFP’s mission under Marcos’s vision of “Bagong Pilipinas.”
With a fully modernized military and strong international alliances, the AFP can secure not only the prosperity and well-being of the present but of generations to come.
