Task Force Highlander

𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐔𝐌𝐏𝐇𝐒 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍: 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐍𝐏𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐕𝐀 𝐕𝐈𝐙𝐂𝐀𝐘𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐎

Former Rebels (FRs) from Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces led the National Day of Choosing Peace on 29 March 2026 at People’s Park, Capitol Compound, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. The activity was organized by Kindling Actions for Peace, Progress, and Inclusive Advocacies (KAPPIA), Inc., in support of the nationwide “We Choose Peace” Campaign under Executive Order No. 70 and the Whole-of-Nation Approach.

The program featured testimonies from Former Rebels from the Peasant, Indigenous Peoples, Women, and Youth sectors, who courageously shared their experiences in Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), highlighting the hardships and suffering faced by individuals and communities, especially in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).

Simultaneous community dialogues were also conducted in Brgy. Siguem, Kasibu; Brgy. Dulli, Ambaguio; and Brgy. Canabuan, Sta. Fe in Nueva Vizcaya, and Brgy. Dissimungal and Brgy. Sangbay in Nagtipunan, Quirino. These discussions which were facilitated by the 86IB, strengthened community awareness and emphasized the role of every citizen in sustaining peace and security.

The activity culminated in a Peace Rally initiated and led by local officials, Former Rebels, former CTG supporters, and barangay residents, where participants openly expressed their rejection of the CPP-NPA-NDF and reaffirmed their commitment to peace and development.

This National Day of Choosing Peace proves that courage and unity triumph over violence. The 86IB commends the KAPPIA Inc. for their courage and leadership, celebrating this milestone as a shared victory in advancing lasting peace and security in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

"𝘞𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴—𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘳 - 𝘕𝘶𝘦𝘷𝘢 𝘝𝘪𝘻𝘤𝘢𝘺𝘢, 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴—𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦." —𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙡𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙚 𝙁𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙧, 𝙆𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙄𝘼 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣 2 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙩








📸Kappia Nueva Vizcaya

𝟖𝟔𝐈𝐁 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐏𝐏-𝐍𝐏𝐀-𝐍𝐃𝐅 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

As the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) marks its 57th founding anniversary, the 86th Infantry “Highlander” Battalion continues its efforts to counter the Communist Terrorist Group’s propaganda. In line with this, the 86IB, in coordination with the Barangay and Municipal Local Government Units (LGUs), facilitated Community Dialogues and Peace Rallies on 26 December 2025 for the residents of Brgy. Ammoweg and Brgy. Dulli, Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya, and Brgy. Dissimungal, Nagtipunan, Quirino. The activities supported the communities’ united stand against the CPP-NPA-NDF and their violent insurgent activities.

During the dialogues, the participants were informed about the deceptive recruitment tactics of the CPP-NPA-NDF, provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). These discussions aimed to raise awareness and empower them to resist insurgent influence. The forums provided a platform for the community to share experiences, voice objections to armed groups, and collectively reaffirm their commitment to lawful and peaceful initiatives, strengthening trust and cooperation between residents and local authorities.

The Peace Rally concluded with the symbolic burning of CPP-NPA-NDF flags, demonstrating the communities’ collective rejection of violent extremism and their commitment to peace, unity, and development. Informational leaflets were also distributed to reinforce awareness and provide guidance on lawful reintegration programs.

The strong participation of residents from all three barangays reflects a clear and united choice of peace over conflict. The 86IB continues to support communities as facilitators, advancing the whole-of-nation approach to ending local communist armed conflict and fostering a secure, peaceful, and prosperous future for all.

“The CPP-NPA-NDF thrives on lies, threat and intimidation, but today our communities have shown their courage to stand against propaganda and violence, affirming their commitment to a safe and prosperous future.” — Lt. Col. Babaran Jr., Commanding Officer, 86IB, 5ID, PA

𝟖𝟔𝐈𝐁 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐀𝐦𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐮𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐳𝐜𝐚𝐲𝐚

As part of its continuing efforts to peacebuilding, reconciliation, and sustainable reintegration, the 86th Infantry “Highlander” Battalion successfully facilitated an Amnesty Caravan for the processing of amnesty applications of Former Rebels in the province of Nueva Vizcaya. The activity was conducted in coordination with the National Amnesty Commission–Local Amnesty Board (NAC–LAB), Gamu, Isabela, headed by Mr. Lucky O. Javellana, Peace Program Officer III, ensuring that every step of the process was clear and well-supported.

The Amnesty Caravan enabled the applicants to apply for their Safe Conduct Pass and complete all documentary requirements necessary for their amnesty application, which underscores the Whole of Government and Whole-of-Nation approach in addressing the roots of conflict and fostering inclusive peace.

One of the highlights of the activity was the awarding of assistance in various forms by partner national and local agencies, reflecting strong inter-agency cooperation and shared responsibility in reintegration efforts. These agencies are the Office of the Vice President – Cagayan Valley Satellite Office, Provincial Local Government of Nueva Vizcaya, DSWD–Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Nueva Vizcaya, Provincial Department of Social Welfare and Development (PSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Nueva Vizcaya, Provincial Agriculturist – Nueva Vizcaya, and Dr. Crisol Catalino of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). Moreover, agencies such as the Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office (NVPPO), the Congressional District of Nueva Vizcaya, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)–Bayombong, and Kindling Actions for Peace, Progress, and Advocacies, Inc. (KAPPIA) also presented their programs and assistance for the former rebels to avail of.

The successful conduct of the Amnesty Caravan is a testament to the strength of inter-agency collaboration in advancing peace and sustainable development in the communities. It is a reminder that lasting peace is built on unity, compassion, and shared responsibility.

The activity concluded with a boodle fight, bringing together all participants, applicants, and partner agencies in a spirit of camaraderie and shared celebration, reinforcing the bonds of community and cooperation fostered throughout the day.

“𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵—𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.” – 𝙇𝙩. 𝘾𝙤𝙡. 𝘽𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣 𝙅𝙧., 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙧, 86𝙄𝘽, 5𝙄𝘿, 𝙋𝘼