LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS
𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐂𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞
𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐀, 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐧, 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 - The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) hosted its traditional New Year's Call to EastMinCom Commander LtGen. Luis Rex D. Bergante PA, on January 13.
The event was atten...
Read More
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...
Read More
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Relentless offensives launched by the Joint Task Force (JTF) Diamond troops under the guidance of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), led to the death of three Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) and the capture of 15 high-powered firearms following a skirmish in Mt. Apo-Apo, Sitio Dugyaman, Brgy. Anticala, Butuan City, on June 16.
In a report from the 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde), combined troops of the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) and 30IB clashed with the combined elements of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 21C, Guerilla Front 21 (SYP21C, GF21) and Platoon Dao, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) Westland, both under the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Westland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) after responding to reports from concerned citizens regarding the presence of armed individuals in the area.
The encounter resulted in the death of one male and two female CNTs whose true names are still being obtained. Troops also captured five AK47 rifles, four AR18 rifles, three M4 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, an M16 rifle, and terrorist documents.
From January 1 to June 16 this year, EastMinCom has already logged 201 neutralized Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members, 227 captured and surrendered firearms, and 34 seized anti-personnel mines.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol commended the cooperation of civilians and the swift action of JTF Diamond troops which resulted in the successful operations. He is also optimistic that CTG's recent defeat will aggravate the demoralization of its forces in the Caraga Region.
"The series of defeats of the CTG in Eastern Mindanao, especially in Caraga Region, proved that the support from their top-to-bottom leadership, including their former mass bases, is already absent. Therefore, the only solution is for them to surrender or face the consequences of their anti-people behavior at the hands of our troops," he said.#
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol joined the City Government of Davao and its people as they celebrated the 1st Anniversary of Davao City's Victory Declaration as Insurgency-Free at the Rizal Park, Poblacion District, on May 24.
Philippine Vice President, Department of Education Secretary, and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Co-Vice Chairperson Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio; Davao City Vice Mayor Atty. Melchor B. Quitain; 10th Infantry Division Commander MGen. Jose Eriel M. Niembra; Commander of Joint Task Force Haribon/EastMinCom Deputy Commander BGen. Consolito P. Yecla; 1003rd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Marion T. Angcao; Task Force Davao Commander Col. Darren E. Comia; Police Regional Office XI Regional Director PBGen. Alden B. Delvo; Public Safety and Command Center Head/Peace 911 Officer-in-Charge P/LtCol. Angel B. Sumagaysay; Peace 911 Consultant Ms. Irene M. Santiago; other local government, military, and police officials; and former rebels also witnessed the event.
With the theme, "A Year of Insurgency-free Davao City, A Tribute to the Community," the event signifies a year of peace and stability in the City with no reported presence of Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) after the City Government of Davao memorialized the declaration on March 24, 2022, through the passage of City Resolution No. 0115-22.
LtGen. Almerol said the remarkable achievement of Davao City, then under the leadership of Mayor Sara Duterte, set off a domino effect across the Davao Region, leading to the subsequent declarations of insurgency-free in just a year.
It can be recalled that in 2022, Davao del Sur (May 25), Davao del Norte (June 13), Davao Occidental (June 16), Davao de Oro (June 20), Davao Oriental (September 19), and Davao Region (October 12) declared insurgency-free behind Davao City after EastMinCom dismantled all remaining Guerilla Fronts and cleared all barangays from CTG influence in the region.
From 2017 to 2022, the Command dismantled 28 out of the 33 CTG Guerilla Fronts and 11 out of 22 Vertical Units in its joint operational area, most of which were achieved during the term of LtGen. Almerol. It also represents 41% of the overall achievement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In his message during the event, LtGen. Almerol thanked the people of Davao City for their collective strength, commitment, and unwavering support to the military and their LGU, which paved the City to achieve freedom from the communist insurgency.
He also vowed to prevent any resurgence of the CTG in Davao and to finish the remaining Guerilla Fronts in other regions that are part of EastMinCom's joint operational area.
"Together we will ensure that the shadows of insurgency are a thing of the past and that the splendor of peace illuminates our beloved region. It is only a matter of time until we dismantle the four remaining CTG units in Regions 10, 12, and 13 and finally declare an insurgency-free Eastern Mindanao,” the EastMinCom Commander said.
Meanwhile, Vice Pres. Duterte expressed her gratitude to the military and police forces for successfully ending the insurgency in Davao City, emphasizing her desire to sustain the success and achieve an insurgency-free nation.
"This is a success that must be sustained. And this can only be done if we do not abandon our strength as a community or our shared dreams as a nation. As we move forward, I hope that one day soon, we wake up to the news that the entire Philippines is already NPA terrorist-free. Let us make this happen," she said.#
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - The sustained military operations launched by the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the direction of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol induced more losses to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) after neutralizing 155 CTG members and capturing 172 firearms and 28 anti-personnel mines (APM) from January to 2nd week of May this year.
In a recent development, combined troops of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) and 36IB, under the operational control of Joint Task Force (JTF) Diamond's 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde), neutralized three CTG personalities and captured seven high-powered firearms in an encounter at Sitio Katarugan, Brgy. Lobo, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur on May 11.
Two of the said fatalities were identified as Alberto Castañeda alias Bern/JD, Commanding Officer of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16C, Guerilla Front 16 (SYP16C, GF16) and Eric M. Colon alias Neo, Political Guide of Squad 1, Sentro de Grabidad 16 (SDG16), GF16, all under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Government troops also seized three AK47 rifles, an Ultimax 100 Light Machine Gun, an AR18 rifle, an M16 rifle, an R4 rifle, an improvised explosive device (IED) with detonator, 13 backpacks with assorted personal belongings, communication and electronic devices, a medical kit, and other war materiel after the skirmish.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops of JTF Diamond for their efforts and dedication to pursue the goal of EastMinCom to eradicate the CTG this year with the help of local government units and support of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
“The recent accomplishment is a testament to our continuous efforts to finish the dwindling CTG units in our joint operational area and to attain just lasting peace in Eastern Mindanao," he said.
The EastMinCom Commander likewise warned the remaining active CTG members to reconsider their refusal to yield, should they wish to avoid the fate of their dead comrades "who continued to terrorize the peace-loving communities."###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - JTF Diamond of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) troops, under the supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol facilitated the surrender of a high-ranking Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leader and his nine members at Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City on April 24.
They were all under the Headquarters Force (HQF) Neo and Sub-Regional Committee (SRC1) of the Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
LtGen. Almerol identified the former CTG leader as Lino A. Namatidong alias Dahon, Commanding Officer of HQF Neo. Along with him was his wife Reyna N. Namatidong alias Miray, Regional Staff, Education and Propaganda; Nestor P. Namatidong alias Labni, Squad 3 Team Leader; Ronnie N. Polistico alias Allan, Squad 4 Leader; Angleo L. Pal-ot alias Selda, Squad 2, Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG) Compaq Political Guide; Lyka N. Lagaolao alias Jelly, Squad 4 Medic; Jerry P. Inantag alias Johny Boy, Sub-RSDG MTJ Eagles, SRC1 member; and Besto Tumanan alias Lagbas, Gay-gaya Tumanan alias Longhair, and Ronald A. Dungogan alias Onad, all Squad 4 members.
The former rebels also yielded 10 high-powered and low-powered firearms composed of three shotguns, two M16 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, an AK47 rifle, a Carbine rifle, and a Garrand rifle.
The latest mass surrender came after the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) under the 402nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (402Bde, 4ID), and other intelligence units of JTF Diamond launched a joint intelligence operation.
LtGen. Almerol said this was also the result of their persistent calls for the CTG remnants to yield to spare their lives from the intensified military operations.
Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander praised the troops of the 23IB, 402Bde of JTF Diamond for encouraging the leadership of Lino Namatidong to return to the folds of government through peaceful means.
"We are looking into the possibility that the surrender of Namatidong would induce more capitulation in the coming days, especially from his downline members. Thus, I urge those remnants of the CTG to yield peacefully just like your other comrades unless you want to follow those who have already died for a useless cause," LtGen. Almerol added.#
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP