TERRORIST groups in the country no longer have the capability to train or mount large-scale attacks, the military said, citing years of sustained security operations and peace-building efforts.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, said government forces have significantly weakened domestic terror groups, particularly in Mindanao, resulting in a sharp decline in manpower, leadership, and operational capacity of the insurgency movement.
“Available indicators show a steady decline in LTG (local terrorist groups) manpower, firearms, territorial influence, and violent incidents since 2016. Remaining groups are fragmented and largely defensive, with diminished operational reach and limited ability to regroup,” Padilla said.
According to the AFP, the LTG’s manpower has steadily dropped from 1,257 members in 2016 to only around 50 in 2025, reflecting what the military described as major gains in domestic security.
Padilla said the neutralization of key rebel leaders over the past nine years played a crucial role in disrupting terrorist command structures.
From 2016 to 2025, security forces neutralized 28 high-value individuals, including 10 amirs or group leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group, Maute Group, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Rex Espiritu
“The loss of senior figures has weakened command structures and reduced the ability of these groups to plan, direct, and sustain operations,” she said.
The AFP also cited the consistent downtrend in LTG firearms, territorial influence, and violent incidents, noting that there have been no recorded terrorist training activities, organized recruitment efforts, or large-scale attacks by domestic LTGs since 2016.
Padilla attributed the improved security situation not only to military and law enforcement operations, but also to strong prevention and counter-measures, as well as community involvement.
These initiatives, she said, encouraged surrenders, reintegration, and cooperation with local leaders, reducing the communities’ vulnerability to extremist recruitment.
The military highlighted marked improvements in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with Basilan declared free of Abu Sayyaf Group presence and areas such as Jolo, Sulu seeing renewed economic activity and tourism.
“Terrorism threat levels in several areas of Western and Central Mindanao have shifted from high to low,” Padilla said.
