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 (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has uncovered the largest arms caches in Caraga Region following the mass surrender of the members of a Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG) to the troops of 901st Brigade's 30th Infantry Battalion (IB) in August.
LtGen. Almerol bared that four arms caches, hiding 31 high-powered firearms and other war materiel, were revealed by the members of Guerilla Front 16, Sub-Regional Committee Northland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (GF16, SRC Northland, NEMRC).
It can be recalled that nine members of the Sentro Degrabidad (SDG) and Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16B (SYP16B), GF16, NEMRC yielded to the troops of 30IB at Brgy. Mahanub, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte on August 12, which led to the recovery of 16 high-powered firearms.
They were identified as Edelberto D. Maisog alias Marmar, Grace J. Bacalan alias Nizel, Jessie S. Roxas alias Jemrex, Alfredo A. Balocloc Jr alias Degard, Lynde T. Bacalan alias Diane, Christopher G. Libres alias Joreden, Nikki B. Pinao alias Cyrel, Alvin Palen alias Barry, and Janiza Galupo alias Fox.
Their four other comrades identified as Panie H. Jubasan alias Alvin, Junas L. Morata alias Bong, Merimi C. Manego alias Odette, and Lenie B. Mantawiran alias Glay-Glay who respectively surrendered on August 22 and 25, also revealed two arms caches with 15 high-powered firearms.
The 31 retrieved high-powered firearms were composed of nine M4 Rifles, eight M16 Rifles, six AK47 Rifles, three M203 Grenade Launchers, an M14 Rifle, a Galil Rifle, a Caliber .22 Carbine, an R4 Rifle, a Pistol Grand Master, an Improvised Explosive Device, several assorted magazines, 2,010 rounds of various ammunition, four Bandoliers, and other war materiel.
In another incident, troops of the 1001st and 701st Brigades under the 10th Infantry Division (ID) uncovered separately two arms caches within Davao Region on August 25 and 26 after the revelation of two CTG personalities. Alias Delmar, former Chief Ordnance of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and alias Bukawe, Team Leader Abe of the Weakened GF18, aided the troops in recovering five M16A1 Rifles, an M60 Machine Gun, an M16 Rifle, and an AK47 Rifle.
A former Militia ng Bayan (MB) member, identified as alias Labay, who surrendered to the troops of 402nd Brigade's 16IB, also revealed the location of an arms cache at Sitio Mintapod, Brgy. Hagpa, Impasugong, Bukidnon on August 27. It contained a Caliber .30 M1 Springfield Rifle, 10 hand grenades, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and ammunitions.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops of the 4ID and 10ID for their relentless efforts that further weakened the capability of the CTG in Eastern Mindanao. He is also optimistic that with the series of surrenders, Caraga Region will be declared "Insurgency-free" before 2022 ends.
"We are optimistic that GF16 is at the brink of collapse with the gradual surrender of their leadership. With our intensified military operations and aid from former rebels, it is only a matter of time before we declare them dismantled and the rest of Caraga Region free from insurgency this year," he assured.
The EastMinCom Commander likewise encouraged the remaining CTG members to "surrender and avail government programs through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to start a new life with your families."
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Pacanan, Davao City - Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has highlighted its thrusts to pursue peace and development in Eastern Mindanao as it celebrated its 16th Founding Anniversary on August 26, 2022.
After two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, EastMinCom resumed its physical celebration by conducting a series of activities such as Sports Fest, Medical and Dental Civic Action Program, and ceremonial awarding to outstanding Officers, enlisted personnel, civilian human resource, and significant stakeholders.
With the theme, “EMC @ 16: Relentless in the Pursuit of Peace Towards Eastern Mindanao’s Sustained Growth,” EastMinCom commemorated the occasion by showcasing its accomplishments in line with the Campaign Plan "Kalinaw Sidlakang Mindanao."
Secretary Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo Jr., the Special Assistant to the President (SAP), witnessed the event as a representative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
During the program, LtGen. Almerol presented the Command's successes in its campaign from 2017 to 2022, wherein it dismantled 26 Guerrilla Fronts (GFs) and 10 Vertical Units, which account for 40% of the total accomplishments of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He also noted that 13 of the said GFs and five NPA Vertical Units were dismantled during his incumbency, which is 50% of the total Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) units dissolved in Eastern Mindanao for the past six years.
The EastMinCom Commander assured to dismantle the remaining CTG units before the end of 2022.
"I am very optimistic that before the end of the year, EastMinCom with its Joint Task Forces will dismantle the few remaining Guerilla Fronts and NPA Vertical Units," he said.
Through Focused Military Operations (FMO), intensified stakeholder engagements, and support from former rebels, EastMinCom neutralized a total of 4,797 CTG members in the same period, with 3,579 surrendered, 524 captured, and 403 killed.
Moreover, the Command neutralized a total of 101 top-ranking leaders, including national-level personalities such as Jorge "Oris" Madlos, Menandro "Bok" Villanueva, and Loida "Gwen" Magpatoc.
EastMinCom troops also captured 1,388 Anti-Personnel Mines (APM) and 4,607 assorted firearms composed of 2,732 high-powered and 1,875 low-powered during combat operations and the surrender of CTG members.
On top of these, EastMinCom also helped the Local Government Units uplift the lives of people in former CTG-influenced areas by facilitating the completion of 251 Barangay Development Projects (BDP) under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
These accomplishments were deemed significant in quelling the decades-old communist insurgency as it led to the declaration of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao City, all in Davao Region as "insurgency-free."
"Being true to our commitment to the Command's Campaign Plan 'Kalinaw Sidlakang Mindanao,' we gained significant headway championing the foundation of conflict-resilient communities and promoting inclusive growth," LtGen. Almerol remarked.
The EastMinCom Commander also did not fail to mention their efforts to assist the areas affected by the onslaught of Typhoon "Odette" in 2021 by deploying the Joint Task Force Sambisig to ensure effective and efficient humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
In his message, the LtGen. Almerol expressed his gratitude to all EastMinCom personnel, the ground Commanders, and the support of the stakeholders for their "relentless efforts in attaining our desire in the pursuit of peace and sustained growth in Eastern Mindanao.”
“Given our numerous meaningful achievements, we triumphantly achieved significant milestones through the collective efforts of the men and women of EastMinCom. The gains we have achieved would not be made possible without the sterling leadership of our Commanders on the ground, along with the constant support and cooperation of our stakeholders," he said.
As they celebrate another year, LtGen. Almerol enjoined his troops and all stakeholders to remain undaunted and steadfast to accomplish their campaign objectives and have the fortitude to surmount the challenges ahead.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol neutralized a notorious leader of a now-defunct Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) unit following a skirmish with the troops of the 67th Infantry Battalion under the 701st Infantry Brigade at Sitio Dam, Brgy. Guinahalinan, Barobo, Surigao, Del Sur on July 21.
LtGen. Almerol identified the CTG leader as Arnold C. Ornales, Commanding Officer of the dismantled Guerrilla Front 14 (GF14), Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Recovered also from the encounter site was an M4 Rifle with ammunition, war materials, and personal belongings.
Before this, troops of the 29th Infantry Battalion under the 901st Infantry Brigade also captured four high-powered firearms and an improvised explosive device (IED) after discovering an arms cache at Sitio Inayao, Brgy Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte on July 20 through the information of the locals.
The captured war materials, believed to be owned by the Sentro de Grabidad 16 (SDG16), GF16, NEMRC, were composed of an AK47 Rifle, M4 Carbine Rifle, M16 Rifle, Bushmaster Rifle, two magazines, an IED, and 30 meters of firing wire gauge.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops for continuing their intensified operations to clear the communities in Caraga Region from the CTG remnants. He also commended the efforts of concerned citizens who aided the troops in the said accomplishments while calling the remaining CTG members to yield.
"We are thankful to our forces and the concerned locals for their unceasing effort to free communities from the CTG's terroristic activities. Let us continue this synergy to drive all their remaining members to surrender. To those who still believe in the terroristic views of the CTG, we are giving you the chance to yield unless you want to follow the fate of Ornales," he said.
"The government programs through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and a new life with your families are waiting, should you choose to abandon the armed struggle," he added.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has recovered more firearms and logged more surrenders of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members on the 2nd week of July this year.
The first recovery transpired as troops under the 1001st Infantry Brigade, accompanied by former leaders of the dismantled Guerilla Front (GF) 2, uncovered an arms cache with four M16 Rifles and an M14 Rifle in the vicinity of North Davao, Purok 6, Barangay New Leyte, Maco, Davao de Oro on July 9.
It was followed by the seizure of two M16 Rifles and an M14 Rifle at two different barangays in Quezon, Bukidnon, as a former member of GF57 revealed the firearms' location to the troops of the 72nd Infantry Battalion (IB) under the 10th Infantry Division (ID) and 88IB under 4ID on July 13.
Before this, four remnants of the dismantled Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit of the Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRGU, SRC5), yielded to the troops of 56IB under the 1003rd Brigade in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte on July 12.
They were identified as Jimboy Mambay-an, former squad leader, Tata Mambay-an, former medic, Onti Landahay and Inggo Ebudan. The surrenderees also yielded an AK47 Rifle and an M1 Springfield Garand Rifle.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops of 10ID and 4ID for facilitating the latest accomplishments.
"Your efforts have further allowed us to reduce the armed and manpower capabilities of the CTG. Let us continue our intensified operations with the cooperation of former rebels and the support of the local government to finally clear the whole of Eastern Mindanao from the presence of the communist terrorists, " he said.
The EastMinCom Commander also enticed the CTG remnants to surrender and avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of government to live a peaceful life with their families.
From January 1 to date, a total of 544 CTG members and supporters were neutralized by EastMinCom, while it also seized 425 firearms and 96 anti-personnel mines. Likewise, the Command is confronting six remaining weakened CTG Guerilla Fronts in its Joint Operational Area from 33 in 2017.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - A Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) between the Philippines and Indonesia (PHILINDO) reopened on July 5 at the Swiss-belhotel Maleosan, Manado, Indonesia, as borders between the two countries reopened this year.
Rear Admiral Dr. TSNB Hutabarat, M.M.S, the Commander of the Fleet Command II, Indonesian National Armed Forces, and Chairman of the Indonesia Border Committee (IDBC), hosted the opening ceremony of CORPAT PHILINDO XXXVI-2022.
The Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) and Philippine Border Committee (PHBC) Chairman, LtGen. Greg T. Almerol graced the opening. He was also accompanied by Commodore Carlos V. Sabarre, the Commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) and (PHBC) Vice-Chairman; Philippine Consul General in Manado Angelica C. Escalona; and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Mindanao Assistant Secretary Renato Pedro O. Villa.
CORPAT PHILINDO is a joint patrol between the Indonesian Navy and the Philippine Navy, which aims to maintain and secure the maritime borders of both countries against piracy, illegal crossing, and other criminal activities, carried out four times a year, including the Harbor and Sea Phases.
LtGen. Almerol said the harbor phase of the previous CORPAT was put on hold during the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic when both countries closed their borders.
The EastMinCom Commander also bared that CORPAT PHILINDO XXXVI-2022 was designed to provide both naval forces an opportunity to improve interoperability and capability, to ensure a safe and secure common border through naval exercises simulating various scenarios.
"Our long-established defense relations made a remarkable impact in bolstering the military-to-military relationship between our nation’s armed forces through the conduct of joint maritime exercises, information sharing, and professional exchanges," he said.
"I am confident that we will be able to sustain our efforts in responding to the common challenges that beset our nations and be able to build a Southeast Asian Region that is peaceful and prosperous," LtGen. Almerol added.
Meanwhile, the naval ships involved during the exercises and coordinated patrols were the KRI Ajak-653 from the Indonesian Navy and BRP Ramon Alcaraz PS-16 from the Philippine Navy.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP