The New People’s Army (NPA) intensified its operations in the Visayas, carrying out a series of tactical offensives against military assets linked to attacks on civilians and revolutionary forces.
In Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, the NPA-Southwest Negros (Armando Sumayang Jr. Command) raided the residence of intelligence asset Garde Francisco in Sityo Lumbia, Barangay Kamansi, on the night of October 3. Francisco, accused of facilitating the killings of civilians, revolutionary leaders, and Red fighters, was killed during the raid.
Francisco was reportedly involved in multiple killings, including the 2022 deaths of National Democratic Front (NDF)-Negros peace consultant Ericson Acosta and peasant leader Joseph Jimenez. He was also implicated in the September 21, 2023 massacre in Sityo Lubi, Barangay Tabugon, where five Red fighters and a civilian were killed, including Ka Rekoy (Bobby Pedro), Ka Goring (Mario Mullon), Ka Joyce (Janice Flores), Ka Bravo (Alejo delos Reyes), his six-month pregnant wife Ka Diane (Melissa dela Peña), and tricycle driver Robin Gaitan. Additionally, Francisco reportedly facilitated the killing of the “Kabankalan 7” in Barangay Tapi on April 27, which included senior citizens and a former student leader, Dee Supelanas.
NPA-Southwest Negros spokesperson Ka Andrea Guerrero stated that the operation “delivers justice to the victims of state attacks” and serves as a warning to those with a “blood debt” to the revolution. She emphasized that “it is better to live righteously than to become a military asset used only for money and temporary freedom that is never a lasting solution to the crisis of poverty and hunger.”
Meanwhile, in Leyte, the NPA-Leyte Island (Mt. Amandewin Command) launched a tactical offensive against the 14th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army in the town of Javier at 7 a.m. on October 15. According to NPA-Leyte Island spokesperson Ka Dodong Malaya, the attack inflicted multiple casualties on military forces conducting combat-clearing operations between Barangays Odiong and Caraye.
“The NPA’s attritive action proves the persistence of Red fighters and the revolutionary movement in Leyte,” Malaya said, noting that the NPA relies on mass support and guerrilla tactics to counter the 802nd Infantry Brigade’s operations.
The 14th IB has not released any statement regarding the attack, which analysts say is consistent with military practices to suppress reports when facing high casualties.
In June, the Marcos regime declared 17 towns and cities in Leyte as under “Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition” (SIPSC). The recent operations in Negros and Leyte underscore ongoing tensions between revolutionary forces and military units across the Visayas, highlighting persistent armed resistance despite official declarations of peace and security in the region.