LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS
BSKE 2023 in Eastern Mindanao: A Triumph of Unity and Peace as COMELEC, Law Enforcement, and Community join Forces
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023 in Eastern Mindanao concluded as a remarkable testament to unity and peace.
As of 6PM on 30 October 2023...
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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 - Eastern Mindanao Command’s (EastMinCom) military health officers took the lead in boosting public confidence in Sinovac vaccine by voluntarily inoculating themselves against the Corona Virus Disease-19 (Covid-19) during the symbolic vaccination held in front of Camp Panacan Station Hospital, Davao City on Monday, March 8, 2021.
No less than National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, together with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Philippine Army Commanding General LtGen. Jose Faustino Jr, and the representative of Department of Health-11 (DOH-11) Director Annabelle Yumang, graced the symbolic vaccination to demonstrate full support and trust in the program.
“We encourage every member of the AFP to take part in this vaccination program. This is not only meant to protect us from the virus but also to encourage everyone especially those who are still undecided to be inoculated,” Gen. Sobejana said in his speech, adding that the success of the national vaccination deployment program relies on the troops.
“Let us show to the public that they have nothing to fear about the vaccines that you are going to receive,” Gen. Sobejana said.
During the symbolic vaccination, three military health officers took the first shots in front of the media and other military and civilian health workers to signify their trust in the Sinovac vaccine and urge others to do the same. More than 80 military and civilian health workers of EastMinCom’s Camp Panacan Hospital, Dental Clinic, and Health Service Center are also slated to take vaccine shots. The three military officers who took the first Sinovac shots did not experience any side effects and remain healthy after the procedure.
A total of 1,200 doses of Sinovac vaccine are allocated for EastMinCom – half of these will be distributed to the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) based in Mawab, Davao de Oro while the other half is intended for health workers and personnel assigned at Camp Panacan. Since each person has to be given two vaccine shots, the 600 doses allocated to Camp Panacan can accommodate 300 individuals.
Those who engage in health-related works are being prioritized by the Command based on the guidelines set forth by DOH to put health workers on top of the inoculation priority list followed by senior citizens, low-income individuals, and then military personnel.
Camp Panacan Station Hospital Executive Officer Captain Victor Dato said that although vaccinating against Covid-19 is mandatory, EastMinCom is giving its personnel the leeway to choose the brand they want. As of the present, however, the only brand the Command has received so far is Sinovac.
Meanwhile, the DOH-11 reiterated that vaccines are just part of the solution and that there is still a need to follow health protocols even after inoculation.
The Secretary also re-echoed the statement of the DOH that getting inoculated does not mean one can already carelessly roam around. He added that while vaccination gives people immunity against the virus, this does not mean that one could no longer contract and spread the virus.
“For the meantime let us prevent the spread of the disease by wearing face masks,” Secretary Lorenzana said.
Secretary Lorenzana also shared that more vaccines are expected to arrive in the next couple of weeks, stressing that the government is fast-tracking the vaccination of frontliners and vulnerable people.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana Jr. expressed confidence and optimism in the leadership of the newly installed Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) MGen. Greg T. Almerol, saying he is the 'right man for the job.'
Gen. Sobejana made the public pronouncement in his speech during the Change of Command Ceremony held at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) Covered Court, Camp Panacan, Davao City on March 8, 2021.
The AFP Chief of Staff said that MGen. Almerol’s diverse experiences, especially his Intelligence, Combat, and Civil-Military Operation competencies, have been instrumental to his designation to several key military positions in the past including his current designation as EastMinCom Chief.
“MGen. Almerol is a seasoned intelligence officer. He is surely familiar with the security situation in Eastern Mindanao,” Sobejana said.
The AFP Chief of Staff said that MGen. Almerol’s diverse experiences, especially his Intelligence, Combat, and Civil-Military Operation competencies, have been instrumental to his designation to several key military positions in the past including his current designation as EastMinCom Chief.
“MGen. Almerol is a seasoned intelligence officer. He is surely familiar with the security situation in Eastern Mindanao,” Sobejana said.
In his assumption speech, EastMinCom Commander MGen. Almerol said he is determined to pursue high-value individuals belonging to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and asked for multi-sectoral cooperation in dismantling the remaining guerrilla units in Eastern Mindanao.
“The fight against the CTG does not only require pure military actions. We need to collaborate with different Local Government Unit executives. We need everyone to be on board. I believe we can totally eradicate the causes of the communist insurgency,” MGen. Almerol said.
MGen. Almerol also stressed his desire to open all possibilities for a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict but was quick to add that he will never hesitate to use force if there is a compelling reason to do so.
“We should never hesitate to use force against who will disrupt peace. We will strike when innocent civilians are threatened,” he added. He also shared his plans to train more personnel and officers, innovate, and review EastMinCom’s best practices to further improve its war competencies.
“The fight against the CTG does not only require pure military actions. We need to collaborate with different Local Government Unit executives. We need everyone to be on board. I believe we can totally eradicate the causes of the communist insurgency,” MGen. Almerol said.
MGen. Almerol also stressed his desire to open all possibilities for a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict but was quick to add that he will never hesitate to use force if there is a compelling reason to do so.
“We should never hesitate to use force against who will disrupt peace. We will strike when innocent civilians are threatened,” he added. He also shared his plans to train more personnel and officers, innovate, and review EastMinCom’s best practices to further improve its war competencies.
Meanwhile, the former EastMinCom Commander LtGen. Jose Faustino Jr and also the incumbent Commanding General of the Philippine Army congratulated MGen. Almerol on his appointment as the new head of EastMinCom.
MGen. Almerol assumed several notable positions in the past and is adept in intelligence work, having held the position as Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the AFP.
Before he was appointed as EastMinCom Commander, MGen. Almerol served as the 40th Commander of the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division since September 11, 2020. He was also the Commanding Officer of the 14th Intelligence Service Unit, Intelligence Service Group of the Philippine Army; the Chief of the Central Monitoring Station of the Office Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G2), PA; the Intelligence Officer, and the Group Commander of Special Operations Group, Civil Relations Service, AFP.
MGen. Almerol assumed several notable positions in the past and is adept in intelligence work, having held the position as Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the AFP.
Before he was appointed as EastMinCom Commander, MGen. Almerol served as the 40th Commander of the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division since September 11, 2020. He was also the Commanding Officer of the 14th Intelligence Service Unit, Intelligence Service Group of the Philippine Army; the Chief of the Central Monitoring Station of the Office Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G2), PA; the Intelligence Officer, and the Group Commander of Special Operations Group, Civil Relations Service, AFP.
He was once the Commander of the 60th Infantry Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division (10ID); the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3 of 10ID; Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the AFP Reserve Command; Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, 9ID, and the Deputy Commander of Southern Luzon Command, AFP. He was promoted to the rank of Major General on March 12, 2020.
MGen. Almerol, a Cagayan de Oro lad, began his military career when he entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1985 and graduated as member of the PMA ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989.
MGen Almerol is married to Mrs Lynette Cumara Almerol and they are blessed with three children Greg Jr, who is currently working in Aukland, New Zealand, and Korina Claire and Lester Glen.
MGen. Almerol, a Cagayan de Oro lad, began his military career when he entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1985 and graduated as member of the PMA ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989.
MGen Almerol is married to Mrs Lynette Cumara Almerol and they are blessed with three children Greg Jr, who is currently working in Aukland, New Zealand, and Korina Claire and Lester Glen.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA Panacan, Davao City - Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) sustains its crackdown on communist terrorism with the arrest and surrender of 10 high-ranking Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) while more than 600 members and underground mass supporters had also renounced their links with the CNTs in January and February alone.
Five CNT leaders identified as Marie Vic Diamante Sustetuido alias Celin/Bebeng, Deputy Secretary of Guerrilla Front Committee (GFC) Malayag, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), Isias Bigol Geñorga alias Ising, Executive Committee (Execom) member and Secretary of the Regional Urban Committee, Gina Tutor alias Cora, Execom member and Secretary General of Gabriela Agusan del Norte, Vilma Dalangin Yecyec alias Mader, Secretary of the Regional Organization Department, and Rogelio Balansag De Asis alias Dhudz, Regional Chairman of Pambanang Lakas ng mamalakaya sa Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) were apprehended while five more others identified as Bartolome Abela Tausa alias Raymond, Commanding Officer of the Pulang Bagani Command, Rekem Domingo alias Renjan, Vice Commanding Officer 2 of the Front Guerrilla Unit (FGU), and Ruben Sinao Su-oy Jr. alias Jordan/Niko, the Commanding Officer of Basil Platoon, Guerrilla Front 3 and also an Execom member, Jimwel Ascares Salazar alias Zian, Commanding Officer of Sub-Regional Sentro-De-Gravidad (SRSDG) Westland, and Kurt Russel Sosa alias Ugnay surrendered to the authorities on separate occasions in the past two months.
More than 600 CNTs and their supporters were also neutralized and had dissociated from the CPP-NPA-NDF from January 1 until February 28. Out of the neutralized CNTs, 13 were killed in encounters, 16 were captured, and 77 yielded to the troops while more than 500 mass supporters also seized their support for the CNTs.
Sixty-five firearms were also recovered while 25 hideouts were discovered by the troops in the same period.
Acting EastMinCom Commander BGen. Leopoldo Imbang, Jr. attributed these accomplishments to the increasing participation of the Local Government Units and the local populace in countering insurgency.
“Local officials are now more receptive to the needs of their communities, leading the latter to become more participative to government-led initiatives in tackling the armed struggle,” BGen. Imbang said, stressing that this development has a positive impact on the military’s counterinsurgency measures.
BGen. Imbang also expressed his gratitude to the different government agencies and stakeholders who never fail to support EastMinCom’s initiatives and programs for peace, security, and development.
“With the sustainment of the collaborations among different government agencies, we are expecting to see a rising number of CNTs surrendering to the government in the coming months,” BGen Imbang said.
CNTs who choose to surrender to the authorities are also given the assurance of a good life through the Enhanced Local Comprehensive Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government where they can receive remuneration and livelihood assistance.
EastMinCom is also enhancing its information campaign to ensure that CNTs who are lurking even in the most secluded area can hear of the benefits available for them once they decide to live a normal life under the rule of law.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay bade his farewell to the troops of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) as he sets out to end his more than three decades of military service on February 4.
Gen. Gapay expressed his gratitude to the troops for all the support he has received throughout his stint as the AFP Chief during his official visit to the Command on January 18, 2021, where he was welcomed by EastMinCom Commander Lt. Gen Jose C. Faustino Jr. along with the troops from the 10th Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, and the Tactical Operations Wing - Eastern Mindanao in a short ceremony dubbed as “Talk to Troops” held at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario Covered Court, Panacan, Davao City.
In his speech, he described the visit as “nostalgic and meaningful” as he recalled his experiences in the military service.
He also commended EastMinCom’s troops for being the top-performing Unified Command of the AFP, stressing further that he is not surprised at this outcome as the “Command gets stronger year after year.”
Gen. Gapay formally assumed AFP’s top position during the Change of Command Ceremony held on August 3, 2020, at Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Before he was appointed as the 54th AFP Chief of Staff, he served as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Commander of the Southern Luzon Command, Commander of the Mechanized Infantry Division, Deputy Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, and Commander of Joint Task Force Haribon based in Davao City.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – The troopers of 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion formally handed over the cadaver of the slain New People’s Army (NPA) member to his immediate family on Monday, January 4, 2021.
The turnover was also supported by the city government of Butuan City and the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO).
It can be recalled that a member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), identified as Rommie Gumansil Mansilyohan alias Alas/Alon, a resident of Sitio Pinikalan, Barangay San Pedro, San Luis, Agusan del Norte was killed in an encounter with the troops of 23rd IB on December 30, 2020, in KM 5, Purok 26, Lawaan, Barangay Tungao, Butuan City.
The cadaver was painstakingly carried by the government troops from the encounter site then brought to the funeral parlor in Butuan City for proper documentation and disposition. Thereafter, it was brought to the covered court of Barangay Tungao for burial thinking that the said remains will no longer be claimed by his loved ones.
"Kami sa konseho, kauban ang mga katawhan sa barangay Tungao nag masulob-on tungod sa nahitabo sa amoang barangay nga adunay engkwentro nga nahitabo sa amoang lugar ug aduna pay nahi-kabsan sa kinabuhi. Apan luyo sa tanan nga panghitabo atong gihatagan og formal nga haya ang maong patay nga lawas sa usa ka myembro sa CPP NPA NDF," Melchor E. Salboro, the barangay chairman of Tungao said.
Moments before the said internment, the family of the late Alias Alas/Alon finally arrived in Tungao to claim his remains.
"Nananghid man sa akoa kaning bataa nga mag trabaho sa bakery sa Bukidnon adtong niaging tuig kay gusto niya tabangan ang iyang mga manghud para maka eskwela kay nakita niya nga lisud ko maka paeskwela tungod kay byuda naman ko. Sakit kaayo nga ako nalang nasayran nga namatay siya sa enkwentro sa military kay nag apil-apil siya aning CPP NPA NDF. Kung wala lang nila gi ilad og na rekrut ang akong anak buhi pa unta siya karon ug ni abag nako sa panginabuhi," Liza Gumansil Mansilyohan, the mother of Alias Alas/Alon said.
She added that her son was already missing for one year. Despite the loss, the family expressed their gratitude to the government for the assistance they have given to them.
Lt. Col Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Commanding Officer of 23IB once again expressed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of Alias Alas/Alon.
"Another family cried for the loss of their loved one because of the deception and lies brought by the CTG's," Paulo said.
He also reiterated his call to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA in the area to consider the offer of the government, through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) and surrender.
"May this serve as a lesson to the remnants of CPP-NPA Terrorist Groups. The government is eager to finish this 52 years of insurgency. Your Army will always be the protector of our land and is ready to use its force against CTGs who will go against the government. Nevertheless, we are willing to accept anyone who would want to go back to the folds of the law. The government troops will assist you to avail the ECLIP as you embrace your new life," Paulo added.
Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Diamond, PA