Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. visited Negros Occidental on Saturday, May 23, 2026, to personally commend the provincial government and troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Visayas Command (VISCOM) for their sustained peacebuilding collaboration and efforts to address the threat of armed communist insurgency in the region.
The visit included a high-level meeting with Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose V. "Bong" Lacson and 6th District Representative Mercedes K. Alvarez at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City, as well as troop visits to the 79th Infantry Battalion in Sagay City and the 15th Infantry Battalion in the Municipality of Cauayan.
Teodoro Meets Governor Lacson and Representative Alvarez at Provincial Capitol
During his meeting with Governor Lacson and Representative Alvarez on May 23, Secretary Teodoro commended the province's active participation in localized peace mechanisms and reintegration programs designed to facilitate the return of former rebels to civilian life.
The Defense Secretary highlighted the complementary roles of military operations and civilian governance in achieving lasting peace, underscoring that military force alone cannot resolve the roots of insurgency. He emphasized that the participation of local government units (LGUs) in the peace process is indispensable to its long-term success.
Secretary Teodoro also assured the provincial leadership of the AFP's continuing cooperation not only in internal security operations but also in disaster response and community rehabilitation. This assurance was made specifically in light of the ongoing situation involving Mt. Kanlaon, the active volcano located in Negros Occidental, which has continued to pose hazards to surrounding communities.
Teodoro Cites Role of Returning Rebels and Local Government Support
Speaking during the visit, Secretary Teodoro explained the dual approach of the AFP and local government in addressing armed insurgency — combining military suppression of armed elements with civilian reintegration of those who choose to abandon the communist cause.
"Ang aming pwedeng gawin talaga ay masugpo 'yung armado. Pero over and above that, ang ating mga sundalo ay tinatanggap ang mga returning rebels katulong ng local government," said Secretary Teodoro.
In English, the Secretary's statement translates roughly to: "What we can truly do is suppress the armed [elements]. But over and above that, our soldiers are receiving the returning rebels with the help of the local government."
He went on to express particular appreciation for the firm stance taken by the Negros Occidental provincial government and its officials, describing them as genuinely invested in the peace process rather than merely supportive in name.
"Kaya nga nandito rin ako para i-commend ang provincial government and all the officials of Negros Occidental for their firm stance because they're also invested in the process," he said.
Defense Secretary Refutes Allegations of Irregularities in Toboso and Cauayan Operations
Secretary Teodoro directly addressed allegations of irregularities surrounding recent military operations in the municipalities of Toboso and Cauayan, which resulted in casualties among members of the armed communist group. The operations have been the subject of controversy, with some parties using the deaths of 19 individuals to call for renewed peace negotiations with the communist terrorist group.
The Secretary firmly rejected the narrative being advanced by critics and communist sympathizers, characterizing it as a deliberate propaganda effort designed to restore political relevance to the armed group.
"They are using the tragic death of these 19 as a propaganda tool for them to gain relevance, power, and maybe they seek the status of legitimacy," Teodoro said. "I'm sorry, it's not going to fly."
His remarks were a pointed rebuttal to calls from certain sectors urging the government to reconsider its stance on peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), which the Philippine government has designated as a terrorist organization.
The Defense Secretary's statement reinforces the current administration's policy of pursuing armed communist groups through security operations, while simultaneously offering reintegration pathways to former members who voluntarily surrender.
Teodoro Visits 79th and 15th Infantry Battalions to Thank Troops
Following his meeting at the Provincial Capitol, Secretary Teodoro proceeded to visit two AFP units based in Negros Occidental — the 79th Infantry Battalion stationed in Sagay City and the 15th Infantry Battalion in the Municipality of Cauayan.
The visits were described as an opportunity for the Defense Secretary to personally thank the soldiers for their continuing work across three areas: addressing threats of armed insurgency, responding to the impacts of disasters, and contributing to local community development.
Secretary Teodoro also used the troop visits to reaffirm the DND's institutional support for the AFP's ongoing transformation and modernization. He assured the soldiers that as they carry out their mandated duties, the department remains fully committed to supporting their welfare and professional development.
The dual mission of the AFP in Negros Occidental — counterinsurgency and disaster response — reflects the complex operational environment that soldiers in the region face. With Mt. Kanlaon continuing to exhibit volcanic activity and communist armed groups still active in various areas, the troops of VISCOM operate under sustained pressure on multiple fronts.
AFP-LGU Cooperation as a Model for Localized Peace Efforts
The DND's recognition of Negros Occidental's LGU-military partnership underscores a broader national strategy of localizing peace and development initiatives. Rather than relying solely on top-down national peace negotiations — which have stalled in recent years — the government has increasingly emphasized community-based reintegration and localized conflict resolution as more effective long-term approaches.
Negros Occidental has been identified as one of the provinces where this localized model has shown measurable progress, with the provincial government actively participating in reintegration programs for rebel returnees alongside AFP and other government agencies.
The visit by Secretary Teodoro signals continued high-level attention from the DND to the security and peace situation in Negros Occidental, and reinforces the administration's commitment to sustaining both military and civilian components of the counterinsurgency campaign in the Visayas region.
Context: VISCOM's Mandate in the Visayas Region
The Visayas Command (VISCOM) of the AFP is the unified military command responsible for operations across the Visayas island group, encompassing Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, and Western Visayas. Its mandate includes internal security operations against armed communist groups, support for local disaster risk reduction and management, and civic action programs that support community development.
Negros Occidental, located in Western Visayas, has historically been one of the areas where the NPA has maintained a presence, making it a key focus area for VISCOM operations. The province has also been dealing with the ongoing volcanic activity of Mt. Kanlaon, which has required coordinated military and civilian disaster response efforts in affected communities.
The releasing authority for the official DND statement on Secretary Teodoro's visit was identified as Assistant Secretary Arsenio R. Andolong, the DND's public affairs official.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the Department of National Defense (DND)