TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato — The 39th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army has clarified reports circulating on social media identifying armed individuals spotted along the boundary of Tampakan, South Cotabato, and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, as alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The battalion said its investigation determined that the armed personalities were members of the Blaan tribe involved in a personal dispute within the community and were not NPA rebels.
The clarification came after images and reports concerning the presence of armed individuals went viral on social media, prompting concerns over a possible resurgence of communist insurgent activity in the area.
According to the 39th Infantry Battalion, the identities and circumstances surrounding the armed individuals were verified through its investigation, which established that the incident stemmed from an internal or personal dispute among members of the Blaan community rather than an insurgency-related activity.
The development underscores the need for caution in identifying armed groups or individuals, particularly in areas where security incidents can quickly generate speculation and misinformation online.
Armed individuals surrender firearms
Following the incident, the 39th Infantry Battalion, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Hector A. Estolas, conducted law enforcement support operations in coordination with local authorities and security agencies.
The operations eventually resulted in the voluntary surrender of loose firearms by the individuals involved.
The Army said the surrender was facilitated in coordination with the Municipal Government of Kiblawan, led by Mayor Carl Jason R. Rama, and the Philippine National Police (PNP), particularly the Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office (DSPPO) under Provincial Director Police Col. Leo T. Ajero, along with other concerned authorities.
Three firearms were surrendered to authorities.
These consisted of:
- One Ultimax 100 rifle, caliber 5.56mm;
- One homemade M14 rifle; and
- One homemade shotgun.
The Army said the firearms will undergo proper documentation before being turned over to the appropriate authorities for proper disposition and appropriate legal or administrative action.
The surrender effectively removed the firearms from the possession of the individuals involved and was carried out through coordination between the military, police, local government and the affected community.
Army maintains area remains insurgency-free
The 39th Infantry Battalion reiterated that its Area of Operations and Responsibility remains insurgency-free, stressing that the presence of armed individuals involved in a personal or tribal dispute should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of renewed NPA activity.
The battalion said it remains committed to preserving the peace and security situation in its area through continued coordination with local communities, government agencies and other security partners.
The clarification is particularly significant in communities where armed encounters, tribal disputes and other security incidents can easily be misrepresented or misinterpreted, especially when information is circulated without verification.
The Army urged the public to exercise greater responsibility when sharing information on social media, particularly reports involving alleged armed groups or suspected insurgents.
It reminded residents to verify information through legitimate authorities before sharing claims that could cause unnecessary alarm or potentially endanger communities.
Public urged to report suspicious activities
The 39th Infantry Battalion also called on residents to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activities to the proper authorities.
The military emphasized that maintaining peace and security is not solely the responsibility of the armed forces and police, but also requires the cooperation of local governments and communities.
The battalion said sustained coordination among government institutions, security forces and residents remains essential in protecting the gains made in peace and security in the area.
Authorities likewise continue to encourage communities to settle disputes through peaceful and lawful mechanisms and to prevent personal or community conflicts from escalating into armed confrontations.
With the surrender of the three firearms and the clarification that the individuals involved were not NPA rebels, the 39th Infantry Battalion said it will continue monitoring the situation while maintaining coordination with local officials and law enforcement agencies.
The Army stressed that responsible information sharing, community cooperation and prompt reporting of suspicious activities remain critical in preventing isolated security incidents from developing into larger threats to public safety and peace.