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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 (EastMinCom), under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol neutralized a notorious leader of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) during a clash with the troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) under the 401st Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (401Bde, 4ID) at Sitio Hugmakan, Barangay San Juan, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on March 30.
Government forces identify the slain personality as Emmanuel B. Anub Sr. alias Salem, Executive Committee Member of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) and Secretary of both Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Westland and Guerilla Front (GF) 21, NEMRC.
He has 23 pending warrants of arrests and criminal cases for murder, multiple frustrated murder, arson, kidnapping, illegal detention, robbery with intimidation, and other crimes.
Troops also captured an AK47 rifle, six magazines with ammunition, a bandoleer, a cellular phone, and terrorist documents after the encounter.
Before this, the 3SFBn also killed two high-ranking members of the NEMRC, identified by their aliases as Dano and Zig, during a skirmish at Sitio Vertudazo of the same barangay on March 27.
The recent neutralization of CTG leaders was part of the intensified military operations launched by EastMinCom units through the directive of LtGen. Almerol to thwart possible atrocities of the New People's Army (NPA) in line with its 54th anniversary.
Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander lauded the troops of 4ID for their recent accomplishment, which will give justice to the victims of Anub's terror.
"The death of alias Salem will finally end the countless atrocities brought by the CTG in some parts of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. Let his end be an example to other NPA personalities still terrorizing the people in our area that their time is up," LtGen. Almerol warned.
He also vowed to continue their relentless military operations and support the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to defeat the CTG to pave the way for peace and development in Eastern Mindanao.#
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Relentless focused military operations directed by the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has led to the neutralization of 86 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members and the capture of 106 high-powered firearms and 18 anti-personnel mines (APM) during the first quarter of 2023.
Of this number, the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) accomplished 59 neutralizations and 90 firearms seizures, while the 10ID neutralized 27 CTG elements and captured 16 high-powered and low-powered guns.
Recent of this feat was the death of two CTG members and the seizure of an M4 Carbine Rifle, a Modified Carbine Rifle, various ammunition, and magazines after combined forces of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) under 401st Infantry Brigade (401Bde) and 65th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 901Bde launched an operation against the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) at Brgy. San Juan, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on March 27.
A skirmish between the troops of 1SFBn, 403Bde, and members of Platun IPAD, Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC5), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) likewise led to the death of a ranking CTG member and the capture of two high-powered firearms and assorted supplies at Brgy. Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon on March 19.
Before this, eight ranking members of the same CTG unit also capitulated to the 1SFBn on January 3, eventually leading to the seizure of seven high-powered firearms, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and other terrorist supplies after they pointed out the location of three arms caches in Talakag the next day.
The 8IB of 403Bde likewise seized an AK47 rifle, three IEDs, magazines and ammunition, various electronic devices, a generator set, and other equipment after clashing with communist terrorists and capturing their encampment at Brgy. Manalog, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on March 4.
Troops of 26IB similarly captured a CTG hideout, a Carbine rifle, a rifle grenade, various ammunition, communication devices, and other war paraphernalia following an encounter against the members of Platun Sagay, SRC3, NCMRC at Brgy. Lydia, La Paz, Agusan del Sur on March 17.
In Agusan del Norte, the 29IB under the 901Bde logged seven high-powered firearms, two magazines, and a generator set through the aid of three former members of SDG16, Guerilla Front 16 (GF16), NEMRC, who revealed two arms caches at Brgy. Cuyago, Jabonga in New Year’s Day.
On Law Enforcement Support Operation (LESO), joint forces of 901Bde and PNP arrested two Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) members of the SYP21C, GF21, NEMRC for multiple charges, confiscating from them a Caliber .45mm pistol, a Caliber .9mm pistol, various ammunition, and five sachets containing suspected Shabu at Brgy. Kauswagan, Cabadbaran City on March 11.
In a separate operation, a CTG member died, and another was wounded, while 65IB troops seized two AK47 rifles, an M653 rifle, and other war materiel when a gun battle ensued in the boundary of Brgy. Taligaman and Brgy. Bugsukan of Butuan City on January 6.
Three former leaders of GF30, Sub-RSDG Westland, NEMRC, who yielded to the 36IB on February 7, also aided the troops in capturing three AK47 rifles, three M16 rifles, a Bushmaster carbine, an M14 rifle, a Caliber .30 Carbine Rifle, a Shotgun, five IEDs, and other war materiel at Brgy. Bayogo, Madrid, Surigao del Sur on February 8 and 9.
It was followed by the capitulation of a ranking CTG leader to the 3SFBn under the operational control of the 401Bde, bringing along nine AK47 rifles and seven magazines at Brgy. St. Christine, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on March 9.
In Davao del Norte, the combined efforts of 1003Bde and Local Government Units (LGU) to help the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Talaingod encouraged the members of a CTG-exploited organization Pasakaday Salugpongan Kalimodan (PASAKA) - Southern Mindanao, led by its Secretary General Datu Tungig Mansumuy-at to yield on March 14.
In the same quarter, the Command has dismantled the Regional Headquarters, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (RHQ, SRMC), and the Platoon Falcon, SRC1, NCRMC through the Area Clearing and Validation Committee-Eastern Mindanao (ACVC-EM).
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops for their unwavering commitment and fierce efforts in eradicating the remaining CTG units in Eastern Mindanao, which has become more irrelevant after losing all their influenced barangays since 2022.
“These recent feats are a testament to CTGs crumbling state due to their loss of influenced communities in our joint operational area. Together with the LGUs and other partner stakeholders, EastMinCom will remain focused and persistent in its fight to eliminate the communist insurgency in Eastern Mindanao before 2023 ends,” he said.#
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Joint Task Force (JTF) Haribon, the counter-terrorism unit of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), reported no untoward incident that transpired during the international triathlon race dubbed Alveo Ironman 70.3 as security forces carried out successful security operations in Davao City on March 26.
BGen. Consolito P. Yecla, the Commander of JTF Haribon, said they have augmented personnel and assets from land, air, and sea components to beef up the around 6,000 security forces deployed during the event, led by the Public Safety and Security Command Center of Davao City under Retired P/LtCol. Angel Sumagaysay.
Involved units are from Task Force (TF) Davao, TF Samal, Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, Intelligence units, K9 units, Explosive Ordnance Teams, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Reserve components.
Troops of 10th Infantry Division likewise provided security along the Davao-Tagum highway covered by the path of the race and other alternate routes of vehicles.
The JTF's operations comprised 62 patrols, 43 area security, nine fixed checkpoints, 12 random checkpoints, and 19 paneling conducted before and during the international event.
Meanwhile, EastMinCom Commander LtGen. Greg T. Almerol lauded the troops of JTF Haribon under the command of BGen. Yecla and other security units for their hard work and dedication to ensure a peaceful and orderly culmination of the prestigious Davao Alveo Ironman 70.3.
“We attribute this success to our personnel on the ground for their proactive efforts to stay on high alert against possible threats and also to the public for their vigilance and cooperation in applying the Culture of Security, whether during big events or on normal days,” 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 recovered nine high-powered firearms as a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leader surrendered at Brgy. St. Christine, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on March 9.
Troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) under the operational control of the 401st Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (401Bde, 4ID) identified the CTG personality as Patrick Tejeros Wagdos alias "Tuloy," Squad Leader of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda - Interyor/Grupong Staff (SYP-I/GS), Headquarters Force, Sub-Regional Committee (HQF, SRC) Southland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Wagdos revealed that he abandoned the armed struggle due to the continued focused military operations of EastMinCom troops and his longing for his family. He brought along nine AK47 rifles and seven magazines.
Troops are facilitating his documents to avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) as of this writing.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol linked the recent surrender to the CTG's loss of influenced barangays in the Caraga Region as per the 4th Quarter 2022 Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC)-Eastern Mindanao Area Periodic Status Report on Threat Groups (PSRTG).
He also lauded the troops of the 3SFBn and 401Bde under the 4ID for their latest accomplishment, which he said would demoralize further the communist terrorists from fighting and eventually lead to their total collapse.
"This latest accomplishment gives us the optimism to finish the remaining CTG in the Caraga Region before the end of the year. Without their influenced barangays and firearms, they have nowhere to hide and have no capability to fight," he said.
The EastMinCom Commander likewise urged the terrorist remnants to return to the folds of the law and avail of the government programs to regain peaceful lives with their families.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - The Deputy Chief of Staff (TDCS) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), VAdm. Rommel Anthony S.D. Reyes visited the Headquarters of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) here on March 1 as he bows out of military service this month.
EastMinCom Commander, LtGen. Greg T. Almerol and his wife, Ms. Lynette Almerol, warmly welcomed the Deputy Chief of Staff and her spouse Ms. Marie Shanaz F. Reyes, after EastMinCom troops accorded him full military honors during his arrival.
Subsequently, LtGen. Almerol showcased the previous accomplishments of EastMinCom in line with the Development Support and Security Plan (DSSP) “Kapayapaan” and its gains this year under the Peace, Law Enforcement, and Development Support Plan “Pagkakaisa” through a video presentation.
It includes the neutralization of 63 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members, capturing of 75 firearms, the recovery of 10 Anti-personnel mines (APMs), and the dismantling of the Regional Headquarters, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (RHQ, SRMC), an NPA Vertical Unit, covering January 1 to February 28, 2023.
The Command later hosted a fellowship lunch in honor of the Deputy Chief of Staff, attended by the Commanders of different Joint Task Forces and Post Units under EastMinCom and its Officers, Enlisted Personnel, and Civilian Human Resource at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) Mess Hall.
In his message, VAdm. Reyes conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the personnel of EastMinCom who have worked with him for more than three decades of his active military service.
“As I have reached the pinnacle of my career as the Deputy Chief of Staff, spending time with all of you is my way of expressing my pride and gratitude to have been given the opportunity to sail not only our seas but also embark on this whole military journey with dependable and amiable colleagues. Maraming salamat sa inyong tapat na serbisyo at suporta. It has truly been an honor to have grown as a military officer and to have rendered faithful service alongside the dedicated men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol thanked the outgoing Deputy Chief of Staff for visiting the Command and extended his appreciation for the significant milestone he has accomplished throughout his military career.
“On behalf of the grateful men and women of the Eastern Mindanao Command, I thank Vice Admiral Reyes for his selfless service and sacrifice that he has rendered to the country and the Filipino people,” the EastMinCom Commander expressed.
LtGen. Almerol and VAdm. Reyes are both members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Makatao" Class of 1989, who achieved remarkable success in their military careers.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP