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EastMinCom Launches Aggressive Ops to Prevent NPA Recovery Outside Davao Borders
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) troops belonging to Joint Task Force (JTF) Agila, launched series of intensive combat operations to prevent the Communist Terrorist ...
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NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – The continued crackdown of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol on Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) prompted 19 communist terrorists to capitulate peacefully to the combined forces of 10th Infantry Division's (10th ID) 1003rd Infantry Brigade, 56th Infantry Battalion (56th IB), 89th IB, 27th IB, 3rd IB, and Intelligence units at Sitio Pongpong, Barangay Dagohoy, Davao del Norte on November 22, 2021.
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.
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.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Six members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) capitulated on November 14, 2021, after their fate was in limbo following the death of top communist terrorist leader Jorge Madlos alias "Ka Oris," while the largest CTG arms cache was also discovered by the troops on a separate occasion, leading to the seizure of several high-powered firearms.
The six communist terrorists who yielded to the troops of the 4th Infantry Division (4th ID) in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon were composed of a high-ranking leader identified as Bernie M. Sinunta alias Boboy, the Intel Officer/Vice Commanding Officer of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee's Sub-Regional Committee 2 (NCMRC, SRC2) and five other members namely Junie Orque alias Bigboy, Squad Leader of Squad 1, Platoon Bagsik, Guerilla Front Malayag, SRC2; Ting Arellano alias Ting, Team Leader Abe of Squad 2, Sub-Regional Sentro de Gabidad (SRSDG) peddler, SRC2; Jorlito Arellano alias Jimboy, the Team Leader Baking of Squad 2, SRSDG Peddler, SRC2; Rickian Ampildon alias Pikoy, Security Officer/Team Leader Baking of Squad 1, SRSDG Peddler, SRC2; and Marjon Pasco alias Reden, the Team Leader Abe of Squad 2, SRSDG Peddler, SRC2.
The communist terrorists also surrendered six high-powered firearms consisting of an M4 Rifle, three M16 Rifles, and two M14 Rifles.
The six communist terrorists bared that internal crisis within their group brought by the absence of Ka Oris prompted them to surrender to government forces on top of other reasons such as scarcity of food and other supplies and the relentless focused military operations launched by the troops of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom).
Meanwhile, troops of 10th Infantry Division’s (10th ID) 1002nd Brigade seized a total of 30 high-powered firearms comprised of a Cal .30 machine gun; seventeen M16 rifles, seven AK47 rifles, four M14 rifles, an M203 Grenade Launcher and an upper receiver each for an M16 and Carbine rifle following the discovery of an arms cache during intel operations launched at Sitio Bagyang, Barangay Upper Suyan, Malapatan, Sarangani from November 11 to 16, 2021. This is deemed a major breakthrough since it is the largest arms cache discovered by the troops in the whole history of EastMinCom.
EastMinCom Commander LtGen. Greg T. Almerol said that the surrender of the CTG members is a strong indicator that many of Ka Oris’ comrades are dispirited following his death. The EastMinCom Commander assessed that more CTG members under Ka Oris’ leadership are expected to surrender in the following weeks as a result of massive demoralization within their group.
Ka Oris’ death served as an awakening for some communist terrorists in Eastern Mindanao that continued resistance against the government is futile and will only end in tragedy, the EastMinCom Commander added.
“Once and for all, I call upon the remaining communist terrorists to follow the steps of your former comrades who are now living a peaceful and comfortable life under the care of the government. All you need to do is make that decisive action to peacefully surrender and we will ensure your safety and protection,” LtGen. Almerol stressed.
The EastMinCom Commander also did not let a moment pass without commending the troops of 4th ID and 10th ID, saying that the two divisions are doing a “marvelous job in tackling communist terrorism in Eastern Mindanao.”
“Your exemplary job is a true source of inspiration for all of us who strive to make the country better in pursuit of peace and development. Keep up the good work!” The EastMinCom Commander said.
EastMinCom continues to conduct relentless focused military operations and enhance cooperation with the police, the Local Government Units, the communities, and former rebels as part of its bid to put an end to the communist armed conflict by 2022.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Another Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) unit is on the brink of collapse as a result of Eastern Mindanao Command’s (EastMinCom) relentless campaign against communist terrorism that led to nine NPA leaders and members to surrender consecutively in Lupon, Davao Oriental in the past few days.
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.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – In a bid to end the local communist armed conflict by 2022, Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), under the leadership LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, directed its units to intensify their focused military operations which again led to the neutralization of six members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the first week of November 2021.
Out of the six neutralized CTG members, two were killed and four surrendered to EastMinCom’s 401st Brigade (401st Bde), 701st Bde, 66th Infantry Battalion (66th IB), 48th IB, 39th IB, and 73rd IB on separate occasions.
The two fatalities were identified as alias Joseph and alias Kaykay, members of Regional Sentro de Grabidad, who were killed in an encounter with the troops of the 401st Bde and its support units at Purok 4, Barangay Villa Undayon, Bayugan City, Agusan Del Sur on November 7, 2021.
A high-ranking CTG member identified as Jocy Villaruel Papasin alias Domai, the Front Secretary of Guerrilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, also surrendered to the troops of the 66th IB under the 701st Bde during an armed clash at Sitio Yauri, Marayag, Lupon, Davao Oriental on November 7, 2021. Alias Domai decided to yield as she is currently five-months pregnant, prompting the troops to immediately give her first aid prior to bringing her to the nearest hospital for further medical evaluation.
EastMinCom troops were also able to diminish the CTG’s firepower through seizure and recovery of firearms from the same focused military operations such as four AK47 rifles with 15 magazines and around 800 rounds of ammunition, an M16 rifle with magazine, a Garand rifle, and a Cal. 38 revolver, among others.
LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops for the accomplishments, saying that these are crucial to the attainment of EastMinCom’s campaign for peace and development in Eastern Mindanao. He also commended the troops for painstakingly adhering to the standards of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law even as the CTG has no qualms about violating these international treaties for the sake of advancing their violent agenda.
“Your unwavering passion and determination to pursue the remaining communist terrorists make our vision of an insurgency-free country closer to its realization,” LtGen. Almerol said, stressing further that EastMinCom will remain relentless and aggressive in its military operations in order to put an end to the local communist armed conflict.
The EastMinCom Commander also reiterated his appeal to the remaining CTG leaders and members to stop fighting the government and instead choose the path of peace by laying down their arms and embracing the government’s offer through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
LtGen. Almerol also thanked the people from the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) for their increased cooperation with the troops and other government agencies in the facilitation of peace and development projects in their communities.
EastMinCom has already neutralized a total of 1,858 CTG members from January 1 to November 9, 2021 wherein 66 were killed, 117 were captured, 519 surrendered, and 1,127 others withdrew their support from the CTG. More than 500 firearms were also recovered by the troops through operations and surrender of CTG members while a total of 177 hideouts were discovered in the same period.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines, in a bid to enhance the operational capabilities of its frontline units, assigned four new S-70i Blackhawk helicopters to Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) which are expected to amplify its air capabilities especially in conducting intensified military combat operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response during calamities.
This came a week after the death of Jorge Madlos alias “Ka Oris,” a notorious Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leader, in a legitimate encounter with the security forces of EastMinCom in the hinterland of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon on October 30, 2021.
The four new air assets, two of which are stationed at Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao (TOW-EM), Davao Air Station, Barangay Sasa, Davao City, and another two at Tactical Operations Group 10 Headquarters, Lumbia Airport, Cagayan de Oro, City, were formally received by BGen. Maurito L. Licudine, the Deputy Commander of EastMinCom, and LtCol. Omar FridzKhan S. Alpa, the Officer-in-Charge of TOW-EM/Group Commander of Tactical Operations Group 11 on November 4.
The S-70i Black Hawk helicopter is the latest in the family of Black Hawk multi-mission aircraft built by Poland-based Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary PZL Mielec. These air assets can be configured according to specific missions including troops transport and air assault, command and control, border patrol, search and rescue, disaster response, cargo lift, and VIP transport.
EastMinCom Commander LtGen. Greg T. Almerol said that these new air assets will enhance the troops’ mobility in the fight against the CTG including the ability to conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations, especially that troops in Eastern Mindanao have always been on the frontlines during natural calamities and disasters.
Aside from that, LtGen. Almerol said that these new air assets will also help the troops of EastMinCom attain its goal of ending the local communist armed conflict by 2022 as it will advance its intensified focused military operations against the CTG.
“The arrival of these Black Hawk choppers happened at a very opportune time to aid our hardworking troops in the pursuit of genuine peace and development in Eastern Mindanao. There is no doubt that these air capabilities will improve the conduct of military operations against the CTG and other threat groups both on land and sea,” LtGen. Almerol said.
The EastMinCom Commander also expressed his gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his continued support in improving military capabilities, adding that the president has always been responsive to the needs of the military in order to protect the interest of the country and the people.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP