LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of EastMinCom, said that the troops of 39th Infantry Battalion (39th IB) and 10th K9 Team under the 1002nd Infantry Brigade launched an operation in response to a tip from former rebels, which led to the recovery of a caliber 50 machine gun with ammunition, a shotgun, four grenades, and a 40 mm grenade launcher ammunition at Sitio Bonglawaan, Barangay Palo 19, Tampakan, South Cotabato.

 

The former rebels divulged that the recovered items belonged to the CTG’s Guerilla Front Alip of the Far South Mindanao Region (GF Alip, FSMR).

 

LtGen. Almerol said that this is another strong indicator that the CTG is losing big in terms of manpower as they may have more weapons but now only have a dearth of men who may operate them.

 

“This is just one of the signs which shows that the CTG has a scarcity of manpower as more and more of their weapons lay unattended. This is important to note because the foundation of their operations heavily depends on their men,” LtGen. Almerol assessed.

 

 

Out of this figure, 66 were killed during the legitimate operations with government troops, 127 were captured, and 586 capitulated.

 

One thousand two hundred allies also withdrew their support from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) as a result of EastMinCom’s focused military operations.

 

EastMinCom units also seized more than 600 high-powered and low-powered firearms in combat operations and through the surrender of former rebels. On top of that, the Command also seized 87 anti-personnel mines and discovered 180 CTG lairs within the same period.

 

Just recently, the 3rd Infantry Battalion (3rd IB) seized two AK47 rifles from Guerrilla Front Malayag, Sub-Regional Committee 2, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (GF Malayag, SRC2, NCMRC) during an intel operation launched at Sitio Trucut, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon on November 24, 2021.

 

A former communist terrorist identified as Jeffrey Ardita alias Lingling, Squad Leader of Platun Dos/Team Leader of SPARU, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (Peddler), SRC2, NCMRC disclosed the location of the firearms after he surrendered to the troops on November 5, 2021.

 

Meanwhile, the Matigsalog tribe of Sitio Gamot, Barangay Sta. Felomina, Quezon, Bukidnon also turned over a Springfield M1 Garand rifle to the troops of 3rd IB on November 23, 2021, which was believed to be owned by a member of Platoon Bagsik of GF Malayag. The turnover happened following the three-day peacebuilding seminar conducted by the said unit in the area.

 

In a separate incident, a high-ranking CTG member identified as Iresh Ayuma Ramos alias Nene/Kam, Medical/Finance Officer of GF Motorola, SRC 1, NCMRC, surrendered to the Commanding Officer of 58th Infantry Battalion on November 21, 2021.

 

LtGen. Almerol said that the growing number of neutralized CTG members is a clear manifestation of the effective strategies employed by EastMinCom units in their respective areas.

 

“With no letup in our intensified combat operations, coupled with the strong support from the Local Government Units and the populace, we are optimistic that we can dismantle the remaining Guerilla Fronts in Eastern Mindanao and finally make way for unhampered peace and development,” LtGen. Almerol expressed.

 

The EastMinCom Commander ensured the public that his troops are working hard and doing their job with excellence for the benefit of the people of Eastern Mindanao and the country as a whole.

 

He also urged the remaining CTG members and their leaders to choose the greater path of peace by abandoning the armed struggle and accepting the government’s sincere offer to help them start a new life with their families, especially this Christmas season.

 

LtGen. Almerol also assured the public that EastMinCom’s resolve is stronger than ever as it continues to use every opportunity it could find in the pursuit of sustainable peace and development in Eastern Mindanao.

 

 

 

Since LtGen. Almerol took the helm of EastMinCom on March 8, 2021, he went straight to work and called for the fast-tracking of the clearing of focus areas and the ramping up of focused military operations, which resulted in the dismantling of six guerrilla units identified as GF 4A, GF 88, GF North, GF South, GF 68A, GF 55, and a Regional Guerrilla Unit - Pulang Bagani Command.

 

With no letup on intensified operations, LtGen. Almerol is eyeing the dismantling of an additional six more guerrilla fronts and a regional guerilla unit before the year ends, leaving seven guerilla fronts left for dismantling in 2022. The EastMinCom Commander, through the support of the populace, the local government units, and his troops, expressed optimism that he will be able to achieve the goal as the communist terrorist group had already suffered major blows in the recent focused military operations launched by the Command's Joint Task Forces.

 

Through the Command’s relentless pressure through combat operations in affected communities and intensified stakeholder engagements/partnership, it was able to neutralize a total of 21 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leaders including Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, Commander and spokesperson of the National Operations Command and also of National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao; Arian Jane Ochate Ramos alias Marikit, Secretary of Guerilla Front 55, Sub-Regional Command 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Command; Pedro Arnado, Chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Southern Mindanao Regional Committee; Danny Huit alias Bosyong, Secreteary of GF North; Khim Agad Mapoy alias Patrick, Secretary of GF4A Sub-regional Committee 3, NCMRC; Ramil Banawan alias Migs/Kim, Secretary of GF Malayag; Adelaida Magpatok alias Gwen/Emyang /Kudaw/Robby, Former Secretary of FSMR, NDF consultant, and CPP-NPA-NDF Central Committee Member; Jocy Villaruel Papasin alias Domai, Front Secretary of Guerrilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee; and Billy Berana Jr. alias Borjack/Simeon, Secretary of Guerrilla Front Alip, Regional Operations Command, Regional Sentro de Grabidad, Far South Mindanao Region.

 

The neutralization of these top-ranking communist terrorists has also led to a snowball of surrenders of its members that are operating in Eastern Mindanao. “The neutralization of these top CTG leaders is deemed a major setback to the CTG and has provided a deterrent factor that will discourage its remaining members to carry out their plans and harm the people,” LtGen. Almerol said.

 

Within the same time frame, a total of 412 high-powered firearms and 105 low-powered firearms were also captured by the troops from the communist terrorists in Eastern Mindanao through combat and surrender. On top of these, it had also seized a total of 65 anti-personnel mines and discovered 149 enemy lairs; hence, diminishing the CTG’s firepower.

 

These accomplishments were considered significant in quelling the half-a-century-old communist insurgency as they brought down the strength of the communist terrorists and also led other CTG members to surrender peacefully.

 

“These accomplishments would not be possible without the support of our hardworking troops and the collaboration of our stakeholders in the goal to put an end to the communist armed conflict in Eastern Mindanao and the entire Philippines. I urge everyone to continue to be on board so that we can completely eradicate communist terrorism by 2022,” LtGen. Almerol said.

 

Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol reiterated his call on the remaining CTG members and leaders to embrace a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict by accepting the government’s offer through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

 

LtGen. Almerol also assured the public that EastMinCom will continue to do its best in addressing the challenges of insurgency by maximizing the best practices and lessons learned from actual experiences in its operations and exploiting every opportunity to shape the operational environment to the Command’s advantage.

 

 

 

The 19 surrenderers who were under the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SRGU, SRC5, SMRC) were identified as Eloy Bontolan alias Eloy, Vice Political Officer; Lita Ehem alias Maya, Secretariat for Medical; Emil Bontolan alias Admiral, Team Leader of Platoon Basil; Merlyn Bontolan alias Aya, Member of Platoon Andoy; Angeline Balite alias Angeline, Member of Platoon Andoy; Anggil Banlas alias Dante, Political Instructor of Platoon Basil; Jeysin Tibalao alias JM, Team Leader of Platoon Basil; Manuel Mantikinon alias Kardo, Team Leader of Platoon Andoy; Piyot Ehem alias Piyot; Diboy Mantoaw alias Talolong; Aiza Bontolan alias Sky; Dante Tumagsa alias Dante; and Raya Tumagsa alias Raya including six Milisyang Bayan members namely Boni Bontolan alias Boni, Gambil Bontolan alias Gambil, Ambog Landahay alias Ambog, Jimmy Mantikinon alias Jemmy, Boboy Anlagpang alias Boboy, and Gibang Gamot alias Gibang.

The surrenderers also gave up seven high-powered firearms to the troops which were composed of six M16 Rifles, and an M14 Rifle.

No less than the Provincial Governor of Davao del Norte, Hon. Edwin Jubahib and Talaingod Municipal Mayor, Hon. Junnie Libayao witnessed the surrender of the communist terrorists which was facilitated by the troops under 1003rd Bde.

The 19 communist terrorists confessed to government forces that losing their leaders, as a result of military neutralization and the continuous focused military operations conducted by EastMinCom troops, posed several challenges in their operations such as hunger and fatigue, hence prompting them to surrender instead.

Meanwhile, Billy Berana Jr. alias Borjack/Simeon, Secretary of Guerrilla Front Alip, Regional Operations Command, Regional Sentro de Grabidad, Far South Mindanao Region, also surrendered to the troops of the 1002nd Brigade due to the weak CTG leadership, absence of financial support, and collapse of their mass base, among others on November 9, 2021.

The EastMinCom leadership assessed that the massive surrender of communist terrorists is a sign that the military is winning the peace in Eastern Mindanao, adding that this will positively impact the security atmosphere of Davao City and Davao del Norte considering that SRGU, SMRC covers these areas.

EastMinCom Commander LtGen. Greg T. Almerol praised the troops for their massive accomplishments, saying that they are a true source of pride for the whole military organization for exemplifying an extraordinary job in maintaining peace in Eastern Mindanao. He also thanked the Davao del Norte government officials for their proactive support for EastMinCom’s campaign for peace.

“These non-stop accomplishments speak volumes of your relentless efforts to subdue the communist terrorists. I am optimistic that we are communicating to the masses that indeed we are doing our excellent job in protecting the people from all forms of threats,” the EastMinCom Commander said.

LtGen. Almerol also pointed out that the series of surrenders is a manifestation of the growing distrust of CTG members on their organization and remaining leaders. He reiterated that this is also a strong indication of the crumbling CTG system that has already lost several leaders and members who served as pillars of its operations.

The EastMinCom Commander also called on the remaining CTG members and leaders in Eastern Mindanao to surrender and avail of the assistance being offered by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to help them build a new and normal life with their loved ones, especially that Christmas is already nearing.

“Before it’s too late, heed the call of the government and abandon the armed struggle. Now is the best time to surrender peacefully so that you can be reunited with your families and friends in time for the Christmas season. Rest assured that EastMinCom will be your partner as you embrace a new life under the government’s care,” LtGen. Almerol said.