The Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division has declared a landmark achievement in its campaign against communist rebels, announcing the neutralization of 705 New People's Army (NPA) members throughout the Davao Region in the year 2025. This figure, encompassing surrenders, arrests, and casualties, represents one of the military's most effective counter-insurgency pushes in recent memory and signals the end of active NPA influence in the area.
Decisive Military Operations Dismantle Guerrilla Fronts
At a press briefing with the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps on December 4, 2025, Major Ruben Gadut, the 10th ID's Public Affairs chief, detailed the intensive operations that led to this result. The division executed 60 focused combat missions over the year, specifically targeting remnants of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
Gadut emphasized that the success transcended mere statistics. "These operations are more than just numbers," he stated. "They mark the collapse of long-standing guerrilla fronts that once operated across Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental." A pivotal moment came in June 2025, when the final regional NPA unit was officially dismantled through coordinated actions with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Tangible Gains: Firearms, Drugs, and Community Support
The military's comprehensive report extended beyond rebel neutralization. Soldiers recovered a significant cache of 220 firearms from former NPA members and their supporters, severely degrading the operational capacity of what the government labels Communist Terrorist Groups.
In a parallel effort to ensure holistic security, the 10th ID, through Task Force Davao, ramped up its anti-drug campaign. From January to December 2025, authorities intercepted 504 suspects and confiscated approximately 2,488 grams of suspected shabu, blocking a substantial volume of illegal narcotics from reaching Davao City.
Officials attributed these sweeping successes to a multi-faceted strategy. Sustained intelligence gathering, heightened cooperation from local communities, the strengthening of barangay-based defense systems, and unwavering support from local government units were all cited as critical factors.
A Region Poised for Peace and Development
As 2025 draws to a close, the 10th ID asserts that the Davao Region is now reaping the "peace dividends" of these efforts—a scenario once considered unattainable in these formerly insurgency-affected provinces. With no active NPA fronts remaining and a notable decline in crime-related threats, the military confidently affirms that the Davao Region stands as one of Mindanao's most secure, stable, and development-ready areas.
The reported neutralization of 705 individuals, coupled with the decisive dismantling of guerrilla structures, marks a historic turning point for regional security, setting the stage for sustained economic growth and improved quality of life for residents.
