End of the line? Alleged last ICRC rebel and former leader of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) North Abra arrested in Nueva Ecija

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – An alleged last member of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) and former leader of the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) North Abra was arrested in Barangay Parista, Lupao, Nueva Ecija, in a joint operation by the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on August 21, 2026.

The 5th Infantry Division (5ID) of the Philippine Army described the arrest as the apprehension of an alleged ICRC remnant, saying the operation resulted in the capture of what it identified as the last remaining member of the regional committee.

A report by a national media outlet likewise identified the suspect as a wanted former leader of the dismantled KLG North Abra who had allegedly been evading authorities following the group's dismantling.

The suspect was identified as John Lee Hondrado, alias “Lig-on.” He was arrested while authorities were serving warrants for attempted homicide and violations involving the illegal manufacture, sale, acquisition, possession or ownership of firearms and ammunition.

The operation involved combined personnel from the Philippine Army and PNP, including the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Authorities said the arrest was part of continuing efforts by government security forces to locate remaining members and leaders associated with communist terrorist groups in the region.

Series of ICRC arrests

The latest arrest follows a series of operations against alleged members of the ICRC earlier this year.

On March 11, 2026, authorities arrested 10 alleged active members of the ICRC in Fairview, Quezon City, and Tarlac City. The suspects were reportedly linked to operations in Abra, Kalinga and Apayao.

Two other high-ranking communist terrorist group (CTG) officials also surrendered in Tabuk City, Kalinga, bringing the total number of individuals accounted for in the operations to 12.

Among those identified were Gabriel Kennedy Lao-ing Bangibang, who is now detained at the BJMP-Kalinga District Jail and was described as a former KLG Baggas secretary and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant; Theresa Falitnang Forag, an alleged ICRC member from Abra; and Javar Anglao Sugao, a former KLG Baggas intelligence officer and alleged vice commanding officer of the New People's Army (NPA) in Kalinga.

Also identified were Renato Ginez, Rani Francella Tuazon, and Marc Arriane Mendiola y Tolentino, who were described as NPA Kalinga members, and Bobby Calsiyao Yag-ao, a former KLG Baggas member and alleged NPA Abra assistant medic.

Authorities said the suspects were arrested through warrants involving attempted murder, frustrated murder, qualified trafficking in persons, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Dismantling of KLG North Abra

The arrest of Hondrado is being viewed by authorities as a significant development in the government's continuing campaign against communist insurgency in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions, particularly following the dismantling of the KLG North Abra.

The latest operation is also seen as part of ongoing efforts to track down alleged remaining members of armed groups and prevent the reorganization of dismantled communist terrorist structures in the region.