Troops assure Leyte peaceful polls

The Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, based in Ormoc City, has assured that candidates in the upcoming elections in Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran can campaign without fear of interference from communist rebels. 

Col. Rico O. Amaro, deputy brigade commander, stated that the New People’s Army (NPA) has not issued their usual “Permit to Campaign” or “Permit to Win” in these areas, attributing this to the rebels’ declining numbers.​

Despite this, the military remains vigilant. Colonel Amaro emphasized that combat operations have been intensified in areas where armed NPA groups are still present. From 30 April to 2 May, the 802nd Brigade deployed all its troops under Task Force HOPE-Eastern Visayas to towns in Leyte’s third and fourth congressional districts, which the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has classified as areas of concern.​

Colonel Arlino Sendaydiego, Task Force HOPE-EV Commander, reminded the troops to remain professional and nonpartisan, emphasizing that their mission is to ensure that people can vote safely and freely. He stated, “Our job is to keep the peace and let every Filipino exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation.”​

For years, the NPA has used elections as an opportunity to exert control over rural areas by demanding “Permit to Campaign” and “Permit to Win” fees from candidates. These demands essentially amounted to extortion, with candidates paying to ensure their campaigns wouldn’t be disrupted by threats or violence. Both the government and various rights groups have condemned these practices as coercive and illegal.​

However, over the past several years, the NPA’s influence has waned significantly. According to the Department of National Defense, the group’s armed strength has drastically dropped to fewer than 1,800 active fighters nationwide, a sharp decline from the more than 5,000 they had in previous decades. This decline is largely attributed to successful military operations and peace-building efforts in many regions.​

In Eastern Visayas, once considered a stronghold of the NPA, most of their guerrilla fronts have been dismantled or severely weakened. As a result, the military has shifted its focus from large-scale combat operations to maintaining peace and ensuring the security of the upcoming elections.​

With the May 2025 elections on the horizon, security forces are on high alert, ensuring that the process will be free from threats, intimidation, or extortion.