Fil-Am activist rescued after Mindoro encounter

January 10, 2026 | 12:00am

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Army troopers have rescued a Filipino-American activist who was reported missing during an encounter with suspected new People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro on Thursday.

Soldiers found Chantal Anicoche, 24, hiding in a hole following a firefight in the hinterlands of Barangay Cabacao, according to Brig. Gen. Melencio Ragudo, chief of the Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade.

The military said Anicoche was in good condition and was brought to the municipal health office for medical examination.

Anicoche was placed under the care of the Army  pending coordination  with proper authorities.

The Army commended troopers for rescuing Anicoche, a community organizer who volunteered to work with indigenous peoples in the Philippines.

“The rescue of Anicoche exposed the lies peddled by communist terrorists and their mouthpieces regarding the legitimate operations carried out by our troops in Occidental Mindoro,” Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said.

“Her case unmasked the communists’ way of exploiting and endangering young people through their deceptive recruitment tactics,” Dema-ala said.

He gave assurance that the Army is committed to neutralizing security threats and protecting civilians.

Anicoche was reportedly conducting research in the village when an encounter broke out between government security forces and NPA guerrillas.

Five civilians including Anicoche’s alleged companion, identified only as Doydora were killed in military airstrikes.

The remains of Doydora were turned over to her family the other day, according to Col. Michael Aquino, spokesman for the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division.

Troopers found Doydora’s remains during a clearing operation a day after the encounter.

Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, remaining members of the NPA have claimed responsibility for the murder of two civilians they accused of being military and police informants.

Investigation conducted by the Toboso police showed that seven masked men shot dead a certain Ramil Ramos on Wednesday in Barangay San Isidro.

In La Castellana, suspected NPA rebels shot dead Rene Francisco in Barangay Manghanoy on Monday.