AFP: 585 alleged terrorists, supporters 鈥榥eutralized鈥� since January 2025
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MANILA, Philippines — A total of 585 alleged terrorist group members and supporters were “neutralized” from January 1 to May 22, 2025.
This was according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla in a Camp Aguinaldo briefing on Tuesday.
The total included 491 alleged communist terrorist group (CTG) members and supporters, of which 407 surrendered, 41 were apprehended by authorities and 43 were killed in military operations, Padilla detailed.
Operations against CTGs also yielded 332 firearms, 233 anti-personnel mines, and the seizure of 68 encampments, according to the AFP.
The other 94 alleged terrorists and their supporters neutralized were from local groups.
Of this number, 85 surrendered, two were apprehended and seven were killed in military operations, Padilla explained.
Operations against local terrorist groups led to the confiscation of 105 firearms and five anti-personnel mines as well as the seizure of five encampments.
READ: AFP: 254 NPA members, supporters ‘neutralized’ since January
Surrender in Maguindanao, operation in Bukidnon
At the same AFP presser, Padilla briefly reported that an alleged “bomb expert” from a local terrorist group surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team in Maguindanao del Norte last Wednesday.
“The 35-year-old voluntarily yielded due to fear for his safety amid intensified military operations and hardships while hiding. He also turned over a 9mm submachine gun and 60mm improvised explosive device,” Padilla said.
The AFP spokesperson further reported that four soldiers of the Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion were wounded during an operation against suspected New People’s Army remnants in Impasugong, Bukidnon last Friday.
“Promptly responding to reports of extortion, the troops disrupted the terrorists’ activities and forced them to withdraw, while Tactical Operations Group 10 ensured the safe medical evacuation of the wounded,” she detailed./mr
