The heightened military counterrevolutionary operations in the countryside have done little to deter the revolutionary movement’s advances as it continued to launch tactical operations against the fascist Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Ambush Operations
On July 13, in Barangay Bagong Silang, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, a New People’s Army (NPA) unit launched an ambush, killing two police officers working as security for large-scale, destructive projects in the predominantly farming community. The action is a response to the Mindoreños’ call to hold the AFP-PNP accountable for its terrorist campaign in Central Oriental Mindoro towns.
The presence of the military and police who provide security for quarrying sites suppresses the people’s efforts to defend their land and natural resources. These projects will destroy thousands of hectares of land that farmers and indigenous Mangyan communities depend on for their livelihood.
Encounters
At least four soldiers of the 28th IB under the 4th ID were killed in an encounter with a unit of the NPA in Sitio Kiudto, Barangay Hagpa, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, on May 23.
NPA-North Central Mindanao Region reported that the battle lasted 10 minutes, and the people’s army unit quickly retreated. Meanwhile, the 28th IB continued to fire for 30 minutes.
In retaliation, the humiliated soldiers of the 4th ID fired six cannonballs that fell on the residents’ farms. This terrorist act by the military caused massive fear, trauma, and destruction of livelihood.
Harassment operations
As a response to the people’s call against the relentless military operations, threats, and harassment, the New People’s Army (NPA)-Central Negros launched a harassment operation against troops of the 62nd IB in Barangay Imelda, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on June 15, killing three fascist soldiers.
According to NPA Central Negros spokesperson Ka JB Regalado, the red fighters used an M203 grenade launcher to detonate bombs on the troops of the 62nd IB — targeting the gathering of military elements while they were resting in Sitio Lip-o from a forest operation.
In retaliation, the fascist 62nd IB indiscriminately shelled and fired on nearby houses in Barangay Imelda, which caused immense fear and trauma among the residents.
Punitive actions
Amid the continuous military operation in the fields and forests of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, the Leonardo Panaligan Command-New People’s Army (LPC-NPA) successfully implemented the death penalty imposed by the people’s court on Ronald Jacolbe, 39, of Sityo. Sumilang, Barangay Tacpao, on the evening of June 22.
Jacolbe, a barangay tanod and an asset to the AFP, has been providing the military with information on the whereabouts of red fighters and even guiding them during raid operations. He was also among the military personnel who killed an NPA hors de combat. , and a senior citizen Tony Pahayahay, 62, and the beating of Tony Garde of Sityo Lupo, Barangay Humay-humay, earlier this year — this despite the repeated warnings from the red fighters since 2021. Jacolbe’s smartphone also revealed information proving his role as a military spy.
Another active spy, Jesmer Pacunla, was sentenced to death on June 24 at his place in Sitio Kasipongan, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. Pacunla, an active military asset of the 94th IB, was found guilty of crimes against the masses and the revolutionary movement by providing information to the military about the NPA, guiding military raids, and even intimidating civilians and raiding their houses on mere suspicion of hosting NPA guerrilas. The Romeo Nanta Command-New People’s Army (RNC-NPA) had confronted him in the past year and warned him not to continue his work. But he still secretly provided data to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) about the NPA.
In Barangay Bandila, Toboso, Negros Occidental, a unit of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-New People’s Army (RJPC-NPA) carried out a punitive action against the notorious rapist, Isagani Imalay, who committed several counts of rape and attempted rape, terrorizing women in the community and preying on the young and vulnerable. Due to the mounting clamor for justice from the masses, the revolutionary people’s court immediately took notice of his case. He was fairly tried and convicted, but still given a chance to change his behaviour for the better. But to no avail, as he remained remorseless until the end. As expected, the military denounced the action and called it “senseless killing” of a civilian while being silent about the seizure of numerous assorted firearms and ammunition from these so-called ordinary “civilians,” proving they were armed and in a position to put up a fight. The masses, though, see it as a significant relief.
Meanwhile, in South Central of the province, an NPA unit paralyzed and burned two dump trucks and a backhoe used in a destructive quarry operation in Sitio Medel, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on July 4. The punitive operation aims to protect the community and the environment, as the excavation activities have been causing damage for a long time, particularly to the river, on which residents’ farms and livelihood depend.
While the military and its propaganda machinery desperately claim that the revolutionary movement is experiencing decline, the victories of the revolutionary movement in recent months prove otherwise. Despite the increasing military operations in the countryside, the NPA manages to launch tactical offensives against the fascist enemy, who is becoming ever more isolated from the masses as a result of their terror and destruction in the countryside.#
