President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s claims of guerrilla groups being gone were proven wrong by recent military reports by the New People’s Army (NPA) about eight rebel deaths.
Marcos stated this during the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, implying that all armed rebels were executed in standoffs or surrendered.
Therefore, giving Marcos the win after decades of rebellion.
The reality is that military groups fought with communist rebels in Northern Samar, just two days after Marcos’ SONA claims.
The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division states that soldiers had two consecutive violent encounters with the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee of the New People’s Army (NPA) on July 31st at 2:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. in Barangay San Isidro, Las Navas. The fights caused eight rebel deaths.
Las Navas Mayor Philbert Tan says that the “remaining communist New People’s Army terrorists” (CNT) should surrender instead, according to the infantry division.
“We therefore reaffirm our call to the remaining members of the CTGs (communist terrorist groups), this may be your best chance to lay down your arms, abandon the armed struggle, and return to the fold of the law,” 8th Infantry Division Major General Adonis Ariel Orio said.
