Signal Regiment, Philippine Army

IN PHOTOS I Philippine Army and USARPAC Launch Joint Cyber Exercise to Strengthen Digital Defense Capabilities

The Philippine Army, in partnership with the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), has officially launched the Cyber Exercise – Foundational Training Activity (FTA), a joint cyber defense initiative focused on enhancing cyber defense tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). This is achieved through close collaboration between Philippine Army cyber personnel and U.S. Army Cyber forces.

Conducted as part of the CY 2026 Mutual Defense Board activities under SALAKNIB SN-26 ME3, the CyberEx FTA aims to equip participants with advanced competencies needed to protect critical military networks and sustain joint operations in an increasingly complex and contested digital environment. The training emphasizes scenario-based and hands-on exercises to strengthen operational readiness and interoperability between allied forces.

In his message, Col. Rebong, Assistant Chief of Staff for C4S, G6, Philippine Army as Guest of Honor and Speaker underscored the importance of developing a distinct identity and capability within the Signal Regiment, Cyber Battalion, Network Enterprise Technology Battalion, and technical intelligence units. He stressed that these units must not merely replicate other military branches but instead cultivate their own strengths in cyber security and network protection. He also reminded participants that they will ultimately be responsible for mission ex*****on and urged them to fully maximize the training opportunity to develop the skills, confidence, and readiness required for real-world cyber operations.











Photos by: OG7, SR

IN PHOTOS: Advancing Efficiency and Transparency: Signal Regiment Leads EODB Month Celebration

The Signal Regiment, Philippine Army, held a simultaneous flag-raising ceremony in celebration of Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month, in line with Presidential Proclamation No. 818. The activity was led by Col. Aladdin A. Jove, Deputy Commander/Chief, RESPA of the Signal Regiment, at Headquarters Signal Regiment, Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City, on May 04, 2026.

The celebration was attended by officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian human resources, including students from The Signal School. Post Units and Territorial Battalions participated through video teleconference (VTC) from their respective headquarters. The event carried the theme: “Achieving Results through Transparency and Accountability (ARTA): Towards a More Productive Bagong Pilipinas.”

Col. Jove emphasized that the EODB Delivery Act of 2018 mandates streamlined government processes to ensure fast and efficient service delivery. He also underscored that the Anti-Red Tape Authority is responsible for enforcing compliance and accountability across government offices. He stressed that adhering to these principles is essential to maintaining efficiency, strengthening public trust, and delivering responsive, mission-oriented service.











Photos by: OG7, SR

𝗜𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) takes note of the filing of House Resolution No. 968 seeking a congressional inquiry into the April 19 encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

The task force recognizes that legislative inquiries, when conducted in good faith, are an important part of democratic governance. Our legislators’ efforts to establish facts, clarify circumstances, and determine whether policy or measures are needed are important exercises of oversight. We therefore welcome any lawful process anchored on evidence, objectivity, and the commitment to truth.

At the same time, it is also important to approach these legislative exercises with clarity of context.

The task force stands by our government troops that the incident in Toboso was an armed encounter between government forces and the New People’s Army’s North Negros Front, and a result of the vigilance of the residents of the communities. Reports indicate that the operation was triggered by civilian information, and subsequent intelligence confirmed the presence of an armed formation, the recovery of weapons, and the neutralization of individuals engaged in hostilities.

These are the conditions of an active conflict environment. Even the Communist Party of the Philippines itself admitted that a “tactical defeat” occurred in an armed encounter. You cannot claim a “tactical defeat” and, in the same breath, insist that those involved were merely unarmed civilians. That contradiction raises serious questions and risks distorting the facts surrounding what was clearly a combat situation.

Any inquiry on the Toboso encounter must therefore be careful not to obscure this fundamental reality. The pursuit of “balanced narratives” should not lead to false equivalence between state forces operating under the Constitution and armed groups that function outside the rule of law.

We also emphasize that mechanisms for accountability are already in place. The Armed Forces of the Philippines operates under established rules of engagement, international humanitarian law, and a chain of command subject to civilian authority. These are not ad hoc systems, but structured mechanisms designed to uphold discipline, legality, and the protection of civilians.

This is precisely what distinguishes lawful operations from actions carried out outside the legal framework, such as the NPA’s killings of civilians in Negros, which they justified by spy-tagging. Community reports now indicate at least 46 cases of such summary killings across the island.

If the objective of the inquiry is to prevent similar incidents in the future, then the discussion must go beyond the encounter itself. It must confront the conditions that allow armed elements to operate within communities, recruit individuals, including children, the youth and even outside the country, and sustain activities that inevitably lead to violent confrontation.

Addressing these conditions requires more than hearings. It requires sustained governance, development, and community engagement that the whole-of-nation approach continues to pursue.

We also caution against turning such inquiries into venues for political theater or narrative manipulation. The loss of life in Toboso is a serious matter. It should not be reduced to competing soundbites or used to advance positions that disregard the realities on the ground.

The Filipino people deserve a clear and honest accounting that is rooted in facts, respects institutions, and upholds the rule of law.

In the end, the measure of any inquiry is not how many narratives are presented, but whether it leads to better protection for communities, greater accountability, and a clearer path toward lasting peace.

Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr.
Executive Director
NTF‑ELCAC

JUST IN | The Municipality of Toboso Peace and Order Council is set to pass a resolution on April 27, 2026, declaring the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata, according to Albertito Morados, Public Information Officer of the Municipality of Toboso, Negros Occidental.

Buklod Kapayapaan

Read: https://tinyurl.com/5xe9kymj

‼️DISINFORMATION ALERT ‼️

The AFP clarifies that the Toboso incident was a lawful, intelligence-driven operation against Communist NPA Terrorists elements, not an attack on civilians. Evidence of an armed encounter and adherence to the Rule of Law, International Humanitarian Law and Rules of Engagement underscore the priority given to civilian safety.

The public is urged to reject misinformation and support truth-based discourse that promotes accountability and lasting peace.





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79IB Soldier Honored for Bravery After Toboso Encounter

Bacolod City, Negros Occidental — The Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division honored a wounded soldier of the 79th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion for exceptional gallantry following the recent encounter in Toboso. Amid intense firefight with remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front, the soldier showed remarkable courage despite his injuries, prioritizing the safety of his fellow troops and nearby communities.

The award recognizes not only his sacrifice but also the collective bravery and dedication of soldiers on the frontlines. The 79IB reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to protect the people and sustain peace and order across Negros, ensuring that the sacrifices made in operations lead to lasting security and stability.

MASALIGAN — Matatag na Sandigan ng Bayan!