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 - The implementation of the National and Local Elections (NLE) 2022 in the areas covered by Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) was generally peaceful and orderly.
LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, the Commander of EastMinCom, made this assessment due to the absence of election-related violent incidents in his Joint Operational Area during election day.
He said that the deployment of Election Security Task Forces (STFs), especially in towns identified as "areas of concern," played an important role in ensuring Secure, Accurate, Free, and Fair Elections (SAFE).
It can be recalled that about 13,000 troops were deployed and placed on standby alert by EastMinCom on May 4 to form part of the Election STFs from the Command down to its Battalion levels.
Since May 6, troops provided security and transportation in the delivery of election paraphernalia to the different polling centers in Eastern Mindanao to ensure that the election will be unhampered.
On election day, ground units of EastMinCom have likewise conducted security patrols and checkpoints in their respective areas of responsibility while LtGen. Almerol was proactive in personally supervising the implementation of security mechanisms with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Philippine National Police (PNP), and in monitoring EastMinCom's Election Monitoring Action Center (EMAC) down to Battalion levels.
He also attributed the peaceful outcome of the elections to the collaborative efforts of different election partners such as the COMELEC, Department of Education, PNP and Philippine Coast Guard by "giving out their best to provide our people a peaceful environment during the election season."
"We commend the support of different stakeholders for adhering to the rules and regulations outlined in the conduct of the elections and salute our AFP and PNP personnel for showing out their highest standard of professionalism and integrity in this constitutional exercise," he said.
LtGen. Almerol also lauded the strong cooperation of the people of Eastern Mindanao in exercising their democratic rights and securing them from elements who were planning to interfere in the elections.
"The people of Eastern Mindanao are also worthy of appreciation for their overwhelming participation in the elections and their support to our security forces, which kept threat groups at bay and made the elections generally peaceful," 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 officially deployed its contingent for the National and Local Elections (NLE) 2022 security duty during the Send-Off Ceremony held here at Headquarters EastMinCom on May 4.
The said contingent, organized as EastMinCom Security Task Force (STF) NLE 2022, is based on the guidance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Andres C. Centino to establish STFs from the Unified Command down to the Battalion levels to secure the May 9 polls.
BGen. Potenciano C. Camba, the Deputy Commander of EastMinCom, was designated as Commander of the said Task Force. His task is to supervise all election STFs under EastMinCom in implementing election laws and regulations to ensure Secure, Accurate, Free, and Fair Elections (SAFE) in close coordination and collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
Simultaneously, EastMinCom has also activated its Election Duty Company (EMC EDCoy), which consists of three platoons with 86 Officers and Enlisted Personnel from EastMinCom Headquarters, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, and Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao.
On the same day, the 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions under EastMinCom sent off their respective Security Task Forces composed of regular and reserved personnel to be deployed in their areas of responsibility. They will complement other government agencies deputized in the election duty, such as the PNP, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Department of Education (DepEd).
LtGen. Almerol said that the troops will perform their mandate to prevent the plans of any threat groups that may disrupt the electoral proceedings and urged the public to support the security forces by reporting any suspicious activities.
“Rest assured that we will fully perform our mandate to ensure that no disruption will occur as our citizens exercise their democratic rights. While doing so, we also encourage the public to be vigilant and report any activity that may disrupt the upcoming polls so that we can immediately respond," he said.
“While we are securing the people to exercise their right to suffrage, we also commit to uphold our political neutrality in the performance of our mandate. Rest assured that no AFP personnel will involve in partisan politics as our loyalty is on our constitution and not on any political figure," he expressed.
He also warned those who will undermine the electoral process will pay the price for their criminal acts.
“We will not hesitate to enforce the full force of law in accordance with the COMELEC guidelines, especially those who will sabotage the elections through intimation and harassment. EMC will uphold the conduct of a fair and credible election. Those who will cheat and undermine the electoral process will surely pay with their lives, I assure the people in my Joint Operational Area, " the Commander EastMinCom emphasized.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the direction of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has hit anew the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) after troops conducting security operations figured in a series of encounters with the CTG in Caraga and Davao Region that led to the neutralization of six personalities.
The recent encounter transpired when the troops of the 901st Brigade's 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) responded to the information from concerned citizens regarding the planned extortion of an armed group on the campaign rallies of politicians and the community at Brgy. Nurcia, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur on April 29.
The skirmish resulted in the death of two CTG members, with identities still being determined, and the capture of an M16 rifle and a Caliber .45 pistol.
LtGen. Almerol said that the cadavers of the CTG personalities were already transported by the troops to Madrid District Hospital for proper identification and disposition.
Prior to this, an armed clash also transpired between the troops of the 901st Brigade's 30IB and a CTG in the hinterland of Sitio Alimayo, Brgy. Payapag, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte on April 28.
The encounter transpired when government forces acted on the report from residents on the presence of an armed group in the said area that resulted in the seizure of two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), five magazines of an AK47, various ammunition, bandoliers, subversive documents, and other personal belongings after a 15-minute encounter.
In another incident, four CTG members, two of which were minors, voluntarily surrendered to the troops of 701st Brigade's 66IB in Brgy. Coronobe, Maragusan, Davao de Oro on April 27, following the series of combat operations launched by government forces against the remnants of Regional Operational Command (ROC) and Regional Headquarters (RHQ) of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
The surrenderees were identified as alias Jomari, 18 years old; alias Vina, 19; alias Macoy, 14; and alias Dondon, 15.
Their surrender also led to the discovery of two M16 rifles after revealing an arms cache at Sitio Mission, Brgy. Andap in New Bataan, Davao de Oro.
The EastMinCom Commander reported that the two minors were already endorsed to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of New Bataan, Davao de Oro for appropriate action and custody.
"We will also assist the parents of the minors and DSWD in filing appropriate charges against the CTG for recruiting minors and for child trafficking," LtGen. Almerol said.
"We condemn this incident, which proves the CTG's incessant use of children in their terrorist activities," he added.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol assured that the EastMinCom is on high alert status in securing the whole of Eastern Mindanao from CTG's planned atrocities, especially in areas identified with security concerns.
He also reiterated his call among the remaining CTG members to yield and avail of the government programs or they will be hunted down to face the consequences of their atrocities.
“We are open for those who will decide to go back into the mainstream society. Surrender now and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) so you could finally live harmoniously with your families," he assured.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol meets with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Philippine National Police (PNP), and other government security agencies as they finalize the preparations for a secure, accurate, free, and fair elections (SAFE) this year, during the series of Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) Command Conference three weeks before the election day.
The RJSCC for Northern Mindanao Region was held on April 18 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; on April 20 in Davao Region, Davao City; and Caraga Region in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
The series of conferences highlighted the discussion on security preparation updates, particularly on the deployment of troops and contingency measures in sites identified as "Election Areas of Concerns" during the National and Local Election 2022.
It can be recalled that the EastMinCom has been deputized by the COMELEC as one of the law enforcement agencies and government instrumentalities to undertake security operations before, during, and after the elections.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol assured the public that the series of surrenders of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members and firearms and the collapse of their units weakened the CTG's capability to conduct atrocities during the election.
"Now that they are in a very weak position, we are confident that the CTG cannot disrupt our people from exercising their rights. Despite this, we are still on high alert to prevent any incident to happen, especially in areas identified with security concerns,” he said.
"We will coordinate closely with our security counterparts regularly before, during, and after the elections. We will also ensure that peaceful conditions prevail at polling stations and counting centers and that citizens can vote without fear of coercion, intimidation, manipulation, or violence,” he added.
The EastMinCom Commander also bared their intensified random checkpoints in different communities while available resources are on call and ready to be deployed, if necessary, especially during the transport of election materials in polling centers.
He also said that they are eyeing the possibility of tapping reserved and forward service units to beef up the deployment of troops on May 9.
LtGen. Almerol further vowed that the troops will remain non-partisan in the upcoming elections in adherence to the government mandate.
"Be assured that our goal is to maintain peace and security in our joint area of operations. Our troops are well aware of the imperative of impartiality as we move away from patronage politics, which must always be adhered to. Our troops are keen to act with discipline, professionalism, and a positive attitude at all times," he expressed.
On April 22, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Andres C. Centino visited Headquarters EastMinCom and other ground units, reminding the troops of their roles and responsibilities during the upcoming elections.
"Let us make sure that we have sufficient forces spread out in wide areas to secure the elections and even during the campaign sorties on the candidates. I have no doubt we can do our job," he said.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Months after typhoon Odette struck Dinagat Islands in 2021, the Eastern Mindanao Command led by LtGen. Greg T. Almerol made true his promise of continually supporting the recovery efforts of the island province as a "Turn-over of Seedlings, Lumber, and Logs" was held at the Kalikasang Buhay Park, Brgy. Cuarinta, in San Jose on April 21.
The event was graced by Undersecretary Joselin Marcus E. Fragada from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Field Operations - Mindanao; LtGen. Almerol; Gov. Arlene J. Bag-ao; DENR Caraga Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo; 901st Brigade Deputy Commander, Col. Arnold T. Bernardo; and DENR Dinagat Officer-in-Charge Agapito T. Patubo.
During the program, the EastMinCom Commander expressed his strong support for the people of Dinagat Islands in its reconstruction efforts through the deployment of EastMinCom's manpower units.
"I join everyone here in offering my sincere support to help the local government unit in its reconstruction efforts. The 901st Brigade, our Army Engineers, and the 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions will take the lead in supporting the government's reconstruction efforts," he said.
It can be recalled that LtGen. Almerol revisited the Province of Dinagat Islands on February 23 to render a courtesy call to Gov. Arlene J. Bag-ao and report the accomplishments of Joint Task Force (JTF) Sambisig after supporting the said province in various Humanitarian and Disaster Response (HADR) operations for two months.
During the said meeting, LtGen. Almerol also assured to deploy additional engineering units in the area to fast track the rehabilitation efforts in collaboration with the Local Government Units.
He also assured them of EastMinCom's assistance for the continuation of distribution of relief goods and other construction materials through its ground units.
"Isa pong malaking karangalan ang maging parte sa pagbuo ng isang proyekto na naglalayong mabigyan ng ginhawa at magandang buhay kayong aming mga kapatid na naapektohan ng bagyo. Masaya po kaming maibahagi ang aming tulong sa inyong pagbangon," LtGen. Almerol said during the ceremonial turn-over.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP