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 supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has declared the total collapse of the Communist Terrorist Group's (CTG) oldest guerilla unit in Mindanao as its top leaders surrendered to the troops of the 10th Infantry Division's (ID) 1001st Brigade and intelligence units at the hinterlands of Maragusan, Davao de Oro on June 10.
LtGen. Almerol identified the personalities as alias Dan-dan, Secretary of Guerilla Front 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (GF2, SMRC), and alias Jeg/JR, her party husband and Commanding Officer. Accompanying them were alias Kevin/Jelong, Squad Leader, and alias Den-den, Squad Supply Officer of Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit (SRGU), SMRC.
He also said that the high-ranking CTG leaders decided to yield after being cornered in the series of pursuit operations launched by EastMinCom troops and abandoned by Eric Jun Casilao, alias Elian/Wally, the Secretary of SMRC.
"The recent development confirms that the GF2, the oldest unit of the CTG in Mindanao, is now dismantled. It leaves us confronting one remaining CTG unit under the SMRC. Rest assured that we will hunt its leaders to end their atrocities, once and for all," LtGen. Almerol emphasized.
In another incident, 11 CTG personalities who were remnants of the Sub-Regional Committee 5, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC5, NCMRC), also yielded to the troops of 403rd Brigade's 1st Special Forces Battalion (1SFBn) under the 4ID at Brgy Mampayag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on June 6.
The yielders brought along six high-powered firearms and one low-powered firearm.
On the other hand, Three firearms composed of two AK-47 rifles and a Caliber .357 pistol were likewise captured by the troops of 701st Brigade's 67IB, together with the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office, 2nd Davao Oriental Police Mobile Force Company, and other intelligence units after Joey Serman Billiones, a former member of Baking Squad, Regional Operations Command (ROC) of SMRC, revealed the location of an arms cache at Sitio Bayong, Barangay Taytayan, Cateel, Davao Oriental on June 7.
Another arms cache, composed of two M16 rifles with magazines and ammunition, was discovered by the troops of the 901st Brigade's 65IB as two Militia ng Bayan (MB) members under SRC Westland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) revealed its location at Brgy. Tagbongabong, Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte on June 8 following their surrender.
The surrenderors also disclosed that they decided to abandon the armed struggle after witnessing their comrades who surrendered before them were unharmed and treated with high respect by the troops.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the efforts and dedication of the troops to realize President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's marching order to defeat the CTG to attain peace and development in the country.
"Our focused military operations coupled with the government's development efforts have put the CTG on the brink of collapse for just six years after they have reigned terror for more than 50 years in this part of the country. Their extinction in Eastern Mindanao is in sight as communities and their former members are already on our side," he said.
The EastMinCom Commander also reiterated his call to remnants of the CTG to peacefully surrender and avail the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Outgoing Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana lauded the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) for its "victories" during his term as he paid a farewell visit to the troops here on June 6.
During his "Talk to Troops," the DND Secretary laid down all significant accomplishments of the Command under his stint and said, "They were all impressive."
"Since 2016, I have seen you hurdle the challenges in fulfilling your mandate time and time again within your areas of responsibility. I am in awe of your victories over the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and other threat groups, which paved the way for sustainable development in Eastern Mindanao," he said.
"Pati si President Duterte ay humahanga sa inyo. Alam niya na nandito sa lugar ninyo ang pinakamalaking pwersa ng NPA at nagampanan ninyo ang inyong trabaho," Sec. Lorenzana added.
Some of the Command's accomplishments he enumerated were the seven guerilla units dismantled, and 740 CTG members and 71 high-value individuals (HVIs) neutralized, all in 2021. He also mentioned the nine guerilla fronts and vertical units dismantled, 236 members and 24 HVIs neutralized, 387 firearms and 84 anti-personnel mines captured, and 48 barangays cleared in 2022.
He likewise commended the Command's efforts to link with the Local Government Units and the communities through the Whole of Nation Approach, which paved the way for the declaration of the CTG as Persona Non-Grata in Eastern Mindanao's 12 out of 17 provinces, 18 cities, and 149 out of 170 municipalities during his leadership.
Before his talk, the Defense Secretary also visited the ongoing infrastructure projects and facilities inside Camp Panacan, Naval Station Felix Apolinario under the "Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad" or TIKAS Project.
The TIKAS Project is a DND-DPWH convergence program aiming to address various facility requirements of different Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units all over the country.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, the Commander of EastMinCom, expressed his gratitude to the outgoing DND Secretary for his guidance and support that resulted in the unprecedented defeat of the CTG in Eastern Mindanao.
"Secretary Lorenzana's legacy has allowed us to strengthen our capability as the people's protector with the new military assets, facilities, and programs provided for our troops during his term. These were instrumental in conquering the CTG and other threat groups, paving for the Filipino people to give us their highest trust and confidence over the years," he said.
"Today, we are so proud that, with the support of General Headquarters and guidance of the DND, Eastern Mindanao has been moving forward towards the attainment of the most rapid development compared to other regions," LtGen. Almerol added.
Secretary Lozenzana was accorded full military honors by the Command and welcomed by LtGen. Almerol during his visit to EastMinCom. He will bid farewell to government service on June 30.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - The Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), LtGen. Greg T. Almerol reaffirmed the success of the 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE) security in Eastern Mindanao as he spoke during the CARAGA Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) and Regional COMELEC Campaign Committee (RCCC) Conference held at Camp Col. Rafael C. Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City on May 31.
LtGen. Almerol said that the victory of all 17 provinces and 187 municipalities in Eastern Mindanao that have proclaimed their elected officials is worth celebrating.
He also stressed that they have succeeded in "preserving the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process and protecting the right to vote by providing safe and accessible spaces for voting through our meaningful cooperation" with concerned government agencies.
"The CTGs were unable to commit atrocities to sow fear to achieve their goal of influencing the people's votes," the EastMinCom Commander reported, emphasizing they were able to "suppress all incidents of election-related violence that threatened the electoral process."
EastMinCom previously deployed its Election Security Task Forces (STFs), composed of about 13,000 troops, to assist other government agencies in ensuring a clean, credible, free, honest, orderly, and modernized electoral process on May 4.
Towns identified as "areas of concern" were assigned with more troops, while other forces were on standby alert.
Meanwhile, recognizing his efforts during the NLE 2022, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Caraga had also awarded LtGen. Almerol with a Plaque of Commendation during the RJSCC and RCCC Conference for his active participation that contributed to the previous election's success.
LtGen. Almerol, in response, reiterated EastMinCom's commitment to fulfilling its mission to end the Local Communist Terrorist Group's more than 50 years of atrocities.
"Your Team EastMinCom and all AFP units under us will continue to work with the same commitment to maintaining peace and security in this part of the country as you continue to place your trust in us," he assured.
The RJSCC and RCCC Conference served as a meeting of all officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), COMELEC, Philippine National Police (PNP), and civilian government agencies in the Caraga Region to assess their security measures and other efforts during the NLE 2022.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Troops of the Eastern Mindanao Command, under the supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol continues to seize and recover various firearms from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) as a surge of surrenders of its members due to intensified military operations led to the discovery of arms caches and war materiel over the past weeks.
The largest of these was the recovery of six high-powered firearms composed of two M16A1 rifles, two M4 Carbines rifles, an M653 rifle, an M14 rifle, four M16 magazines, and four bandoliers after a CTG leader who yielded to the troops of 1002nd Brigade's 72nd Infantry Battalion (IB) pointed the location of an arms cache at Brgy. Sinaysayan, Kitaotao, Bukidnon on May 20.
Troops identified the CTG personality as Mayunie Man-inday Sayad, Supply Officer/Squad Leader of Front Guerilla Unit (FGU), Guerilla Front (GF) 57, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 3, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
He also bared that Sayad's peaceful surrender was aided by Punong Barangay Thelma Hilaria, the Head of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) of Brgy. New Kabalantian in Arakan, North Cotabato.
Troops of 16IB under 402nd Brigade likewise seized an M16A1 rifle, an improvised grenade launcher, an Uzi, and two magazines with ammunition as a high-ranking CTG member who surrendered this month following her wife, divulged the location of the said firearms on May 22.
Alias Jayto, the Commander of Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Eagles, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 1, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), disclosed during an initial interview that he safe kept the said firearms in his relative at Sitio Larapan, Brgy Kiabo, Malitbog, Bukidnon.
The same unit had likewise secured an AK47 rifle with magazine and ammunition after two CTG members identified as alias Mulan and alias Justin abandoned their group due to hardship and fatigue from continuing encounters with the government troops. Said personalities hold positions as Team Leader and Medic of Headquarters Force (HQF) NEO, NCRMC on May 24.
On the following day, combined forces from the 66IB under the 701st Brigade and Davao De Oro Provincial Police Office discovered an arms cache composed of three AK47 rifles, an M16 rifle, an M203 Grenade Launcher, and two magazines through the revelation of alias Wen-wen, a former member of Regional Operational Command - Regional Headquarters (ROC-RHQ), SMRC at Sitio Libuton, Brgy. Andap, New Bataan, Davao de Oro on May 25.
Before this, troops of the 403rd Brigade's 8IB also retrieved two AK47 rifles after two members of the RSDG Compaq, NCMRC, who surrendered last April, revealed the location of an arms cache at Brgy. Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on May 21.
The two personalities identified as Butchoy Solinay, Vice Commanding Officer, and Jamaica Kaykay Singatao, a Supply Officer, said they were also former members of the defunct Guerilla Front (GF) 89.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol reported that since January this year, 452 CTG members were already neutralized by EastMinCom, with 35 killed, 26 captured/arrested, 194 capitulated, and 197 withdrew their support to the terrorist movement.
He also highlighted that 342 high-powered firearms were gained by the Command, with 106 obtained through surrenders and 236 through combat operations for the same period.
"The series of setbacks of the CTG, such as the surrenders and recovery of firearms, is due to the focused military operations conducted by EastMinCom troops that prompted their units with dwindling members to hide excess guns and their members to escape," the EastMinCom Commander said.
With the neutralization of CTG members and clearing of their formerly influenced areas, he likewise noted that six CTG Guerilla Fronts and two Sub-Regional Guerilla Units (SRGUs) were dismantled by EastMinCom this year.
These are composed of the GF Huawei, GF68B, GF89, GF Malayag, and SRSDG Wei of the NCMRC; GF3 and SRGU, SRC5 of the SMRC; and GF Alip of the Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR).
LtGen. Almerol attributed the accomplishment of EastMinCom to the collaborative efforts and cooperation of local leaders and former rebels that resulted in the recovery of various firearms and the snowball of surrenders for the said period.
He also lauded the troops for their tireless work and dedication to ending the local communist armed conflict before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte culminates his term.
"We commend the strong synergy of government security forces, the TF-ELCAC, and former rebels, which ushered the reduction of CTG forces and firepower. It exhibits that our whole-of-nation approach, through Executive Order 70, continues to reap fruits evident by our triumphs," he expressed.
"Rest assured that our efforts to curb the remnants of the CTG, coupled with the developments efforts of the Local Government Units, will continue to encourage more terrorist personalities to surrender, especially now that they are at the brink of total collapse," the EastMinCom Commander added.
He also reiterated his call to remaining CTG members to yield and avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) "to live peacefully and reunite with their families before its too late."###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has recorded a series of neutralization of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members and recovery of firearms as troops conducting focused military operations continue to engage its remnants in Caraga and Davao Regions.
Recent to this was the overrunning of a CTG hideout as troops of the 901st Brigade's 30th Infantry Battalion (IB) responded to information from concerned locals regarding the extortion activities of an armed group believed to be members of Guerilla Front (GF) 16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) at Sitio Botoon, Brgy. Pungtod, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte on May 15.
The said skirmish forced the terrorists to flee leaving behind an AR15 rifle, a detached M203 Grenade Launcher, 50 rounds of various ammunition, detonating cord for an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), personal belongings, and food supplies.
This was followed by the capturing of a CTG member identified as alias Jomari and the discovery of an arms cache after a CTG personality who was also captured a week ago cooperated and revealed their location to the combined forces of 701st Brigade's 67IB and Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office (DOPPO) on May 12.
The arms cache, unearthed at Brgy. Upper Simulao, Boston, Davao Oriental, was composed of an M16 rifle, an RPG-2 Grenade Launcher, a Carbine rifle, an M1 Garand rifle, a USAS-12 Shotgun, a KG-9 Submachine Gun, and an Anti-Personnel Mine (APM).
Alias Jomari revealed that he was the leader of the Baking Squad under the Regional Operational Command/Regional Headquarters (ROC/RHQ) of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) but went to lie low due to knee injuries, which made him incapable of prolonged walking.
LtGen. Almerol said that the humane treatment of troops toward captured CTG personalities led them to trust and cooperate with government forces by providing high-value information and pinpointing the location of arms caches.
On the same day, two CTG members yielded to the 3rd Special Forces Battalion following a series of armed encounters in the hinterlands of Sitio Panucmoan, Brgy. Diatagon, Surigao del Sur.
The surrenderers identified as Jessica Q. Agustin, Medical Staff of Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Southland, NEMRC, and Romel O. Damarillos, member of the same CTG unit, also brought along an M1 Carbine rifle and a Caliber .38 snub-nosed revolver.
The said personalities also revealed that they decided to surrender due to the deception and abuses of their comrades to poor farmers, which are against the ideals that enticed them to join the CTG.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops for their unceasing operations, which prompted the CTG to withdraw from communities and led their members to yield. He also said that the series of military operations prevented the CTG from recovering their former mass bases.
"The CTG's series of defeats is a strong indication that they are at the point of their losing end, especially in Eastern Mindanao. It also manifests that they can no longer revive their former mass bases as security forces could easily engage them through the information provided from the concerned civilians," he said.
"Be assured that our campaign against the terrorist group is coming to fruition. Let us not rest and continue to dedicate our service until we finally defeat the CTG and attain lasting peace and development in this part of the country," he added.
The EastMinCom Commander also pleaded to the families of remaining CTG members to convince their relatives to surrender and live peaceful lives while enjoying the government's programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
"We urge the families of those CTG members who are still active in the terrorist movement. Help us convince them to lay down their arms so they can regain normal lives and enjoy their freedom with you, or else they might come back home inside a casket," LtGen. Almerol said.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP