Two Filipino communist rebels killed; Indonesia holds 14 citizens deported from Turkey for terror links
And four Filipino terrorist bombmakers surrender in this latest weekly Southeast Asia armed conflict summary.
In the Philippines, recent events highlighted continued struggle and the ongoing fight against terrorism. A vice mayor candidate in Mindanao was injured in an ambush, while four Filipino terrorist bombmakers and 41 other terrorist group members surrendered to authorities in Mindanao. This reflected a broader trend of militants giving themselves up amid heightened government pressure. The Philippine government also prioritised stronger defence ties with Malaysia and Thailand to address security concerns across the region. Furthermore, peace efforts continued in the southern Philippines, with a recent meeting setting clear targets, as the country also grappled with a resurgence in kidnappings, particularly in the south, which remained a persistent issue.
In the realm of domestic politics and security, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that insurgent groups had infiltrated the government. The Philippine Amnesty Commission had been overwhelmed by applications from ex-rebels, reflecting the continued transition of former fighters to civilian life. Meanwhile, the Philippine police suspected an armed group behind the shooting of a southern vice mayor. In efforts to curb poll-related violence, officials called for replacing security escorts for election candidates with military personnel.