Almost 1000 rebels were removed from the armed struggle by government forces since January this year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday.
In a statement, AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said 809 of them surrendered, 71 were apprehended, while 62 were killed in military operations.
A total of 486 firearms and 278 anti-personnel mines were either seized or surrendered, and 92 encampments were seized.
A total of 117 Local Terrorist Group (LTG) members and supporters were neutralized—103 surrendered, 4 were apprehended, and 10 were killed.
Authorities seized or received the surrender of 131 firearms, 5 anti-personnel mines, and 5 encampments.
On July 3 and 4, the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) recovered 8 high-powered firearms from arms caches in Agusan del Norte, with help from a former NPA leader.
Earlier, on July 1, an NPA member surrendered in Surigao del Sur, turning over weapons and explosives.
Military authorities in Maguindanao del Sur warned warring factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to cease internal hostilities or face military action.
Clashes among six MILF groups involved in long-standing family feuds (“rido”) broke out on July 5 near the borders of Maguindanao del Sur, the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area (SGA), and Cotabato province, displacing over 70 families.
While the military respects the peace process with the MILF, it emphasized civilian safety and began dialogues with the involved groups.
Some peacekeeping troops were deployed to protect returning civilians.
The conflict involves members of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces under the 105th Base Command, with multiple commanders identified from various barangays.
The clashes were fueled by personal grudges and territorial disputes.
Following negotiations, some factions surrendered three high-powered firearms to the military.
“The numbers don’t lie — we’re winning not just battles, but the confidence of communities who now say: ‘Tama na, uwi na.’” Padilla said.
