Residents stage indignation rally vs alleged NPA abuses in Samar towns

TACLOBAN CITY — More than 400 residents from four barangays formerly considered hotbeds of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) staged an indignation rally on 26 December, marking the 57th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The rally, supported by the Philippine Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion (20IB), brought together residents of Barangay Bulao and Barangay San Isidro in Las Navas, Barangay Bonifacio in Catubig, Northern Samar, and Barangay Cagmanaba in Jipapad, Eastern Samar.

During the march, participants took turns denouncing what they described as alleged lies spread by the CPP, NPA, and their umbrella group, the National Democratic Front, against the government.

The residents called for an end to alleged terrorist activities, extortion, harassment, deception of civilians, and the recruitment of minors attributed to the NPA. They also collectively signed a withdrawal of support from the CPP-NPA-NDF and expressed renewed backing for government peace and development programs.

Yolanda Angeles, the sibling of former combatant Lucio Angeles, urged remaining active guerrillas to surrender and avail themselves of government assistance offered to former rebels.

Lucio Angeles was among two NPA members killed in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Bulao, Las Navas, Northern Samar on 19 December 2025.

“Through this peaceful assembly, the communities reaffirmed their support for lawful and democratic processes and expressed their commitment to building a safer, progressive, and CTG-free Northern Samar and Eastern Samar,” the 20IB said in a statement.