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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...
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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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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
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