A leader of a federation of former communist rebels in Mindanao has stated she is not surprised by the incident involving Filipino-American Chantal Anicoche, who was recently found by the military in Occidental Mindoro. Ida Marie Montero-Lubguban, president of Kalinaw–Southeastern Mindanao Region (Kalinaw-SEMR), suggested the entry of foreigners into New People's Army (NPA) camps is a deliberate tactic.
Former Rebel Leader Cites Past Experiences
During a briefing with the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Lubguban shared her perspective based on her past as an active NPA member. She claimed that Anicoche's case is not an isolated one. She recalled an instance where a visitor from Belgium witnessed the hardships in their community and later helped raise financial support from abroad.
Lubguban also cited another example involving three visitors from West Papua who stayed in an NPA camp to study their operations, intending to replicate the methods in their homeland. "That’s why, regarding Chantal’s incident, I personally will say that it was intentional — that she was deliberately sent into the NPA camp," Lubguban stated in a mix of English and Cebuano.
The Clash in Abra de Ilog and Conflicting Narratives
The context of these statements is a violent incident in Sitio Mamara, Barangay Cabacao, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. According to human rights and migrants' groups, Anicoche was in the upland community on January 1, 2025, to learn about the living conditions of the Mangyan-Iraya indigenous people when military operations began.
These groups described the bombing and helicopter strafing as an "indiscriminate" attack that reportedly killed around five civilians, including three Mangyan children, and displaced numerous residents. However, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has firmly denied allegations of indiscriminate firing, asserting that the operation was a legitimate security mission targeting NPA guerrillas.
Recovery and Identity of Chantal Anicoche
Chantal Anicoche, a 24-year-old Filipino-American graduate in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, was found by troops of the Philippine Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade. She was located at approximately 2 p.m. on January 8, 2026, hiding in a pit about 500 meters from the earlier encounter site.
Reports indicate she was earlier with a student who was killed during the January 1 clash. Soldiers provided Anicoche with immediate assistance, including food, water, and slippers after she was found. The case has drawn attention to the presence of foreigners in conflict zones and the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Philippines.
