EastMinCom Weeds Out Communist Terrorist Group Unit with Surrender of 9 NPA Leaders and Members

 

EastMinCom identified the communist terrorists as leaders and members of NPA Guerrilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee-2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (GF18, SRC-2, SMRC) namely Gilberto Garcia Colita alias Johnny, Commanding Officer; Richard Basug Jadan alias Atog, Jhon Cloyd Flores Colita alias Jan-Jan, Charlie Dave Mangasdang Pichon alias Potot, David Paraiso Pichon alias David, Mike Mangasdang Pichon alias Mike and couriers Reynaldo Paraiso Pichon alias Oka and Orlando Pandalili Goles alias Soysoy who yielded to the combined forces of the 701st Brigade, Intelligence units and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Kilometer 26, Barangay Maragatas, Lupon, Davao Oriental on November 12, 2021.

 

The communist terrorists who capitulated also gave up their firearms to the troops which are composed of a K-3 Daewoo machine gun, an AK47 rifle, three M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, and an anti-personnel mine.

 

Another NPA leader who belonged to the same guerrilla unit identified as Jason Bansag Eliseo alias Rex, the Vice Commanding Officer, had surrendered ahead of his comrades during a joint operation launched by the troops of 701st Bde, Intelligence units and PNP at Sitio Lunod, Barangay Don Mariano Marcos, Lupon on November 10, 2021.

 

Jason Bansag Eliseo is the party husband of Jocy Villaruel Papasin alias Domai, the pregnant Front Secretary of Guerrilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee who surrendered to the troops of 66th IB on November 7, 2021 because she wants a better life for her future child.

 

LtGen. Greg T. Almerol commended the troops of 10th Infantry Division, 701st Brigade, PNP and other involved units for the accomplishment, saying that this is a reflection of their hard work and the fruit of their focused military offensives against the CTG.

 

The EastMinCom Commander assessed that GF18 could not survive due to the loss of most of the key leaders and members needed for its operationalization.

 

“The way we see it, we can already consider GF18 as dismantled since there is no way it could continue to operate considering the major blows it has suffered as a result of our relentless military operations,” LtGen. Almerol stressed.

 

LtGen. Almerol reiterated that as part of its mandated tasks as protector of the Filipino people, EastMinCom remains aggressive in ending the menace brought by peace spoilers in the communities of Eastern Mindanao such as the NPA.

 

“We urge the remaining CTG members to come forward and lay down your arms. Now is the time to make peace with the government and embrace its offer of a comfortable life through the Enhanced Comprehensive Integration Program (ECLIP),” LtGen. Almerol reiterated.

 

The EastMinCom Commander added that its door is always open for those who wanted to embrace a new life and will ensure that they will get all the assistance they need through ECLIP.

 

LtGen. Almerol also urged the populace to voice out their support for the peace and development projects of the Barangay Development Program by recounting the positive impact it has brought into their communities so that it will gain the political support it needs to continue as a government program that will benefit the people, especially to those who are living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.