The Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion condemned the recent series of killings in southern Negros Occidental claimed by the New People’s Army (NPA), saying the attacks aim to instill fear and create an illusion that the group remains significant.
Lieutenant Colonel Elmar Salvador, commander of the army unit based in Tiling village, Cauayan town, said on Friday, October 23, that the NPA carried out the killings to “instill fear” and create a perception that it remains significant despite its weakening force.
Records show that five people have died since August in the 6th district of Negros Occidental, including a purok chairperson in Cauayan town, allegedly killed by a group led by a certain Ka Kalbo.
Salvador claimed that Ka Kalbo now directs rebel operations in the district, after alias Ka Kumpol and several high-ranking rebel members died in an encounter with government troops in Kabankalan City in April 2025.
The NPA’s Armando Sumayang Jr. Command owned responsibility for all the five killings, claiming that the victims aided the military in its operations that led to the deaths of rebel fighters.
Salvador claimed that the military has reduced the rebel movement to remnants after the province achieved the Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status.
Amid the killings, he said that he remains hopeful that the district can achieve “healing and transformation” through the battalion’s campaign, “No More Terrorism, Let’s Go Tourism,” which promotes development and livelihood opportunities.
Caught in the middle
For decades, civilians in Negros have borne the brunt of the armed conflict between communist insurgents and government forces.
The NPA has carried out executions of individuals it accused of being military informants—without evidence, trial, or due process—actions that have been condemned by the international rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Critics, meanwhile, have also accused the military of harassment and intimidation, allegations that the state forces have dismissed as propaganda.
Negros Island has long been considered a stronghold of the communist insurgency, the longest-running in Southeast Asia, rooted in persistent poverty, unequal land distribution, and inadequate access to basic services.
Thus, Salvador called on all sectors—government agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities—to work together in addressing the root causes of the conflict and pursuing lasting peace.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.