MANILA — A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Sunday said recent military operations in Negros Occidental reflect what he described as the “irreversible collapse” of remaining communist rebel structures in the province.

NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said the recent encounters in Toboso and Cauayan towns demonstrate the weakening of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the region.

The clashes on April 19 in Toboso and May 16 in Cauayan resulted in the deaths of 19 and five alleged NPA members, respectively, according to government figures.

Torres said the April 19 operation, which killed 19 armed members including rebel leader Roger Fabillar, marked a turning point in dismantling what he called the remaining guerrilla network in northern Negros.

“What collapsed in Toboso was not merely an armed unit. It was the last illusion of a movement already abandoned and despised by the very communities it falsely claimed to represent,” Torres said.

He said the losses exposed a violent movement built on deception, fear, and ideological exploitation, and claimed that residents have already rejected insurgency in favor of peace and development.

“But the people themselves have now rendered their verdict. Negrenses rejected terrorism as the path toward justice and reform,” he added.

Torres also cited what he described as the increasing number of areas under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status, along with the dismantling of guerrilla fronts and declarations of persona non grata against the Communist Party of the Philippines–NPA–National Democratic Front in Negros.

He said these developments show the insurgency has lost both moral and political ground.

“Negros is no longer a symbol of insurgency. It is becoming a symbol of recovery, resilience, peace, and democratic renewal. The old chapter of deception, terror-grooming, and violence is closing before the eyes of the nation,” he said.

Citing statements from 3rd Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, Torres said local officials and residents have called for an end to rebel activities in their communities.

He added that communities are no longer shielding insurgents and are instead helping authorities dismantle remaining networks.

Torres also linked public anger against the NPA to the killing of charcoal maker Joseph Agustin, whom authorities described as a victim of “spy-tagging,” a practice where individuals are allegedly accused of being informants and later killed.

“The killing of Joseph Agustin is a tragic reminder that paranoia, coercion, and violence remain embedded in the operational culture of the dying CPP-NPA-NDF movement,” he said.

He urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to take a stronger stance against alleged abuses committed by communist rebels, including executions and intimidation.

“The time has come for the CHR to heed the growing call of the people of Negros and decisively help put an end to the violence. Human rights must never be selective, ideological, or distorted by propaganda,” Torres said.

He added that genuine human rights advocacy requires impartiality and accountability regardless of ideology.