Villarico's Fall: Power Vacuum Grips CPP-NPA-NDF

October 30, 2024

The arrest of Wigberto Villarico, a.k.a "Baylon", the Acting Chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has created a significant power vacuum within the organization, leaving it in a state of disarray, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

During a FAQCheck press conference facilitated by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Tuesday (October 29), LTC Jeffrex Molina, Chief of the Public Affairs Office for the 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army, said the arrest of Villarico is a major blow not only to the CPP's operations in the Southern Tagalog region, which has long been a stronghold for the organization, but the entire country as well.

"If you are going to highlight yung mga posibleng impact [as you mentioned a while ago], yung pagkakaaresto sa kanya will definitely create a vacuum in the CPP’s organizational and ideological leadership, leaving the underground movement without sets of strategic and operational directions," Molina stated.

"And with the arrest of Villarico, sabi nga namin dito sa 2ID sa area namin it’s the start of the downfall of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC). And proven na he is the acting chair ng CCP, this is also the downfall of the CPP NPA NDF," he stressed.

Villarico, 68, also known as Benjamin Mendoza, Juventud Del Fiero, Alejandro Montalban, Laurence, Joven, Mark, Cris, Baylon, and Baler, was apprehended in Fairview, Quezon City during a joint operation conducted by the AFP’s 2nd Infantry Division, PNP-NCRPO and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on October 24.

His arrest was based on a warrant issued for two counts of kidnapping with murder. He is a suspect in the 2007 kidnapping and murder of two individuals in Brgy. Cagsiay, Mauban, Quezon Province.

Molina believes that recent developments, with several key figures, including Porferio Tuna, Simon Fiaryao Naogsan Sr., Gavino Panganiban and Marites David, arrested in recent weeks, have created a leadership vacuum within the group, making it difficult for them to maintain their operational direction.

Villarico's absence, he added is expected to have a profound impact on the CPP's ability to maintain control and carry out its activities, leaving a void that could significantly weaken the group.

The 2ID (Jungle Fighter) Division is tasked with ensuring peace and security in the CALABARAZON and MIMARO regions, as well as portions of the Bicol Region, specifically Camarines Norte and four municipalities in Camarines Sur. Their area of responsibility also extends to five barangays in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, namely Tungkong Mangga, Ciudad Real, San Isidro, Paradise III, and San Roque, said Molina.

He further highlighted the importance of ongoing security operations to prevent the CPP from regrouping and regaining control.

"The 2ID, in partnership with other security agencies and forces, is unwaveringly and continuously conducting security operations to ensure that the remaining armed groups operating in the area will not cause chaos to the populace, which has been very tired of their presence," he stated.

National Security Adviser and NTF-ELCAC Vice Chair Eduardo Año has commended the AFP, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the NTF-ELCAC for the successful arrest of Villarico, stressing he is "the last Communist leader at large capable of commanding both the party and its armed wing, the New People’s Army."

"The operation exemplifies the unwavering dedication of our security forces to pursue justice and uphold the rule of law. Villarico's capture closes the chapter on a terrorist fugitive responsible for numerous atrocities against the people, including leading violent purges within the CPP-NPA Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee in the 1980s, where many were executed by his own hands," Año said.

According to the NSA, Villarico assumed the leadership of the CPP after the death of Benito Tiamzon in August 22, 2022, following the latter's demise in a military encounter in Samar.

Earlier, Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Director General of the National Security Council (NSC), rejected the CPP's claim that Villarico is immune from arrest. Malaya argued that Villarico is not a peace consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) and therefore not protected under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG).

Malaya explained that the JASIG agreement, signed during the Fidel Ramos administration, was terminated in February 2017 during the Duterte administration. This occurred after peace talks between the government and the CPP collapsed.

“The JASIG is as good as dead,” Malaya stated.

NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. also hailed the joint efforts of the military, police, and other stakeholders in apprehending Villarico. He emphasized the significance of Villarico's arrest, calling it a major crack in the foundation of the CPP.

"Our primary goal is to end the communist insurgency and bring lasting peace to the nation," emphasized Torres.

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NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Joel M. Sy Egco

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