PBBM visits EastMinCom, lauds its campaign victories

 

LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of EastMinCom, welcomed and accorded the President with traditional military honors upon his arrival.

 

During the visit, the EastMinCom Commander presented the Command's peace, security, and development efforts in Eastern Mindanao in partnership with different government units and line agencies, which resulted in the dismantling of various Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) units and the declaration of Davao Region as "insurgency-free."

 

He also showcased the Captured, Confiscated, Surrendered, and Recovered (CCSR) firearms from the CTG as a result of EastMinCom's Focused Military Operations (FMO).

 

President Marcos Jr. also graced the ceremonial "Declaration of Davao Region as Insurgency-Free and Relaunching of Davao Region as Tourism and Investment-Ready Destination" on the same day together with the heads of various government agencies and Local Chief Executives.

 

It can be recalled that the members of the Regional Peace and Order Council 11 (RPOC 11) approved a joint resolution proclaiming the whole Davao Region as "insurgency-free" during an Executive Meeting on October 12.

 

In his message, President Marcos Jr. recognized the collective victory of the government, together with various sectors that worked together to attain peace and security in the Davao Region.

 

"We must acknowledge the efforts of our men and women in uniform, particularly the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for ensuring the protection and security of our people to your various Civil and Military Operations," he said.

 

"We must also recognize the efforts of our LGUs, our various government agencies, and law enforcement authorities in the region for supporting the NTF-ELCAC by improving public safety and implementing programs that improve the living conditions for all," the Commander-in-Chief added.

 

Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol expressed his gratitude to President Marcos Jr. for visiting the Command and acknowledging its thrusts to free the people of Eastern Mindanao from the CTG.

 

"We are more than honored to finally meet the President. His recognition of our triumphs in peace, security, and development of communities in our Joint Operational Area will surely bolster the morale of the troops who work day and night to ensure the security of our people from the communist terrorists," he said.

 

Present also during the event were Vice-President Sara Z. Duterte, Department of National Defense (DND) Senior Undersecretary Jose C. Faustino Jr., Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Gov. Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon of Davao Oriental, Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib of Davao del Norte, and Gov. Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga of Davao de Oro, Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte of Davao City, members of Regional Development Council XI and Regional Peace and Order Council XI, and other heads government agencies in Davao Region.