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 - Three wanted Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leaders and member were apprehended following a series of Law Enforcement Operations launched by the joint security forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) units on April 7, 10, and 11.
The first arrested personality was identified as Jemalyn Calinawan, a member of Guerilla Front (GF) 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), who has a criminal case for Multiple Frustrated Murder issued at the 10th Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 30 in Surigao City.
Her arrest was made possible through the joint effort of the 901st Brigade's 30th and 36th Infantry Battalions (IB), Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office, PNP Placer, and intelligence units.
It was followed by the apprehension of a CTG leader identified as Aldeem A. Yañez through the collaboration of PNP Region 10, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 10 (CIDG-RFU), 4th Infantry Division's Task Force Oro, and 403rd Brigade on April 10 at the Urban Poor Village, Brgy Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City.
He was facing charges for violation of the Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act during the implementation of a search warrant issued on April 6, 2022, by the RTC Misamis Oriental, 10th Judicial Court. Authorities also pointed out Yañez as an extortionist and an ideological, political, and organizational (IPO) worker of the CTG.
Recovered from his possession are a caliber .45 Pistol, two fragmentation hand grenades, two 40mm ammunition, fake voter identification, a vaccine card, and various subversive documents.
Another joint security force composed of PNP Region 13, PNP Trento, and 402nd Brigade intel units also apprehended Julieta Galario Gerondio, Secretary/Finance Officer of the Sub-Regional Committee 3 (SRC3), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) at Sitio Maitum, Brgy. Langkilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur on April 11, through a warrant of arrest issued at the RTC Branch 7, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur for various murder cases.
The CTG leader was nabbed by government forces while traversing from Davao to Agusan when her vehicle was flagged down at a checkpoint in the boundary of Monkayo, Davao de Oro, and Trento, Agusan del Sur.
LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) lauded the joint AFP and PNP forces for the recent successful arrests of the CTG personalities, clearly show the strong commitment and synergy of all government security forces in rounding up all lawless individuals and terrorist groups that keep on hiding from the law.
“This is an ultimate example of the great outcomes due to the established synergy among the different security forces. Hand in hand, we can achieve victories greater than this,” LtGen Almerol said.
“Every arrest of a key CTG personality brings us one step closer to becoming an armed-conflict-free country,” he added, stressing that this is not only a victory for the Command and other government security forces but also for the people, especially the victims of the CTG's injustice.
The EastMinCom Commander also vowed to continue hunting down other notorious CTG members who are on the run while also encouraging others to yield.
"We will be relentless in hunting down the terrorist so we could finally attain lasting peace and development in Eastern Mindanao. While doing so, we are also open for those who would like to surrender and get another chance to live free and in peace with their families again,” LtGen. Almerol said.
"Submit yourselves now so that you may avail of government programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program," he added.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NPA's foothold in Eastern Mindanao narrows as arms cache discovery, surrender of CTG forces continue
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under LtGen. Greg T. Almerol recorded anew series of arms caches discovered and other accomplishments in the first week of April as the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), particularly the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) continues to lose footholds in its influenced areas due to the relentless focused military operations (FMO) of EastMinCom to fully curb the remaining CTG strongholds before June 2022.
LtGen. Almerol reported that two arms caches composed of nine high-powered firearms were discovered by the troops in separate incidents in the different parts of Davao de Oro through the aid of former rebels and the synergy of the government’s security forces.
A tip-off from a former CTG member who surrendered to the troops of 701st Brigade’s 66th Infantry Battalion (IB) on April 4 resulted in the discovery of an arms cache containing an AK47 Rifle, an M653 Rifle, and ammunition buried at Purok Rambutan, Brgy Tupaz, Maragusan, Davao De Oro on April 7.
This was followed by the recovery of an M60 Machine gun, a K3 Light machine gun, an M203 Grenade Launcher, four M16 Rifles, and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) after former rebels revealed their location to the joint security forces of 25IB, 28IB, Davao de Oro Provincial Police Office (DDOPPO) at Sitio Mission, Brgy. Andap, New Bataan, Davao de Oro on April 8.
Meanwhile, 15 members of CTG including four Milisya ng Bayan (MB) members surrendered the troops of EastMinCom following the series of setbacks of their former units.
Ten of the said personalities identified as alias Jomar, Rustom, and Justin, all MB members, and alias Mamiloy, Onyok, Trisha, Toryo, Mars, Marvin, and Dante, all CTG regulars who are parts of the remnants of Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit (SRGU), Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC5) and Regional Headquarters (RHQ) of SMRC yielded to troops of 1003rd Brigade’s 89IB and 56IB respectively on April 3 and 8 in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
This was followed by the surrender of five CTG regulars and an MB member in Davao de Oro to the troops of the 1001st Brigade and 701st Brigade respectively on April 4, 5, and 8.
They were identified as alias Jisie, Eljen, Wanwan, Dencio, all members of Guerilla Front 2 (GF2), SMRC, alias Gib/Dagul, Political Guide of RHQ, SMRC, and alias Andoy, an MB member of GF53, SRC3, SMRC based in North Cotabato.
The other three CTG personalities identified as alias Bernon/Dose, Gorio, and Yanyan, all members of the GF3, SRC, SMRC surrendered to the troops of the 1001st Brigade's 60IB at Sitio Bagtok, Brgy. Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte on April 5.
In total, the surrenderees brought along 12 different high-powered firearms composed of two AK47 Rifles, two M16 rifles, an M16A1 rifle, an AR Galil Rifle, a homemade Sniper Rifle with bipod, an M14 Rifle, a homemade KG9 Rifle, a Garand Rifle, a homemade Shotgun, a Cal .45 pistol, including magazines, assorted medical paraphernalia, and war materiel.
LtGen. Almerol recounted that both the GF2 and GF3 were already considered dismantled after the neutralization of their top-ranking leaders and the exodus of their mass members this year, through the series of FMOs of the Command that resulted in the dwindling of their forces.
In another incident, EastMinCom troops successfully seized an R4A3 Rifle with magazine and ammunition, a Rifle grenade (RG), and medical paraphernalia from the CTG following an encounter between the troops of 1001st Brigade and CTG’s Regional Operational Command (ROC) and RHQ of SMRC at Sitio Pongpong, Brgy. Andap, New Bataan, Davao de Oro on April 8.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol assessed that the series of accomplishments of the Command against the SMRC provides a clear image of their losing end. He also said that the growing number of neutralized CTG members is a manifestation of the strong cooperation of the populace in ending the local communist armed conflict.
"Their days are counted. With no letup in our intensified combat operations, coupled with the strong support from the Local Government Units and the populace, we are optimistic that we can achieve our goal to put an end to the communist armed conflict in Eastern Mindanao before our deadline,” LtGen. Almerol expressed.
The EastMinCom Commander also lauded the troops for the series of accomplishments saying that "these are crucial to the attainment of EastMinCom’s campaign for peace and development in Eastern Mindanao."
He also commended the active participation of the people of the Davao Region who gave timely and vital information on the presence of the armed group and the help of former rebels who pinpointed the location of arms caches.
It is only a matter of time before we could fully see the impact of lasting peace and development in this part of the country. With your unwavering passion and strong determination to pursue the remaining CTG, our vision of an insurgency-free country is now closer to its realization,” LtGen. Almerol said.
LtGen. Almerol further reiterated his call to the remnants of the CTG to peacefully surrender and avail the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
“More of your former comrades are now surrendering to live peaceful lives. As long as you are still alive, grab this chance to join them by surrendering to our government. We assure you that you will be well-provided with unwavering assistance through the E-CLIP,” the EastMinCom Commander said.
On the other hand, the business industry and private individuals of the Davao Region expressed their gratitude and applauded the leadership of the LtGen. Almerol for the neutralization of CTG and his effort to put an end to the local communist armed conflict, which is significant to the business sector.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Four (4) top-ranking leaders of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) were killed in what the Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) LtGen. Greg T. Almerol describes as "a major strike against terrorist remnants," after troops of the 4th Infantry Division’s 403rd Brigade and 1st Special Forces Battalion (SFBn) engaged in a decisive encounter with the CTG in Km24, Brgy. Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon on April 6.
The killed CTG leaders were identified as Carlisio D. Sumalinog, Jovilito T. Pontillas, Gary I. Juliana, and Jelly A. Sugnot.
Troops also seized 16 high-powered firearms and other war materiel at the encounter site composed of seven (7) M16 Rifles, an M203 Grenade Launcher, two R4 Carbines, an M653 Rifle, three M1 Garand Rifles, an AK47 Rifle, M14 Rifle, assorted magazines, ammunition, medicines, bandoliers, backpacks, CTG flags, and other items.
LtGen. Almerol said that the encounter transpired following an information from concerned citizens on the presence of some 30 armed individuals consolidating the said area.
"Our troops who are conducting focused military operations, combined with intel units and Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) of Philippine National Police, immediately responded to the information to secure the area, resulting in almost two hours of firefight that led to the death of the four CTG leaders," he said.
He also lauded the government's security forces for their swift response that foiled the CTG's possible atrocities.
Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander said that the recent encounter is a result of the Command's intensified focused military operations to finish the insurgency before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte steps down in June.
LtGen. Almerol assessed that the death of the four high-ranking CTG leaders will cause a major blow to the current status of the CTG, for which he said "might further dwindle their forces."
"This will put more pressure to the remaining forces of CTG to yield as they are currently headless. They cannot survive our series of focused military operations without someone to lead them," LtGen. Almerol pointed out.
He also reiterated his call to remnants of CTG in Eastern Mindanao to yield and lay-down their firearms.
"One-by-one, your comrades who chose to stay in the terrorist movement ultimately paid the consequences of their atrocities. But those who yield are now secured and are living peaceful lives with their families," he said.
"This is the time for you to choose. Surrender now and avail the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration (E-CLIP) or die misarebly away from your families," the EastMinCom Commander 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 announced the total collapse of another Guerilla Front (GF) of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in his area of responsibility after its top-ranking leader and remaining members surrendered to the troops of 10th Infantry Division’s (10th ID) 1001st Infantry Brigade (Bde), 60th Infantry Battalion (IB), intel units, and local government officials in Asuncion, Davao del Norte on March 31.
The CTG leader identified as Maximo Catarata, the Secretary of Guerilla Front 3 (GF3) of Sub-Regional Committee 4 (SRC4), Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) operating in the tri-boundaries of Agusan del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte.
His surrender came after three of his members namely Emy Ansag Camilo, Nilo Oyda Moluhinday, and Reyan Bagubay Moluhinday also yielded to the troops of 60th IB two days prior.
It can be recalled that on February 26, 13 members of the same guerilla unit led by Renard Galos Catarata, Commanding Officer and son of Maximo Catarata, also laid down their arms to government forces due to hunger and physical exhaustion caused by the intensified military operations of EastMinCom.
LtGen. Almerol said that the total surrender and collapse of GF3 is significant to the current campaign of EastMinCom against the extortion and other illegal activities of the CTG during the election season.
“The GF3 is the second most important unit of the CTG that provides high revenue to their terrorist movement through extortion activities. Its total collapse assures us that there will be peaceful, secure, and fair elections in communities they have previously terrorized," he said.
On the other hand, a report from concerned citizens on the presence of armed individuals extorting food and money from farmers prompted the 36th IB under the 901st Brigade to launch a security operation in the hinterlands of Brgy. San Vicente, Carmen, Surigao del Sur on March 29.
The troops' response led to a 15-minute firefight against the CTG, which resulted in the seizure of an M16 rifle, a Carbine rifle, a Cal. 22 rifle, a Cal 45 pistol, four Anti-Personnel Mines (APM) with 6 detonating cords and 6 blasting caps, several ammunition, other war materiel, subversive documents, and some medical supplies.
The said encounter came after LtGen. Almerol directed his ground units to intensify their security operations and strictly monitor any terrorist groups that would conduct extortion activities.
“I have already directed all unit Commanders under the EastMinCom to be extra vigilant in their respective areas. We will be addressing security threats posed by the CTG and LTGs who may disrupt elections through intimidation, harassment, vote-buying, and through their permit-to-win, and permit-to-campaign schemes,” he previously said.
In a separate incident, troops of the 402nd Brigade's 23rd IB also recovered four AK47 rifles, an M1 Garand rifle, several magazines, and ammunitions after they unearthed an arms cache at Sitio Mahogany, Brgy. Ibuan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte on March 28 through the help of a surrenderee who revealed its location.
The former rebel identified as Mary Joy Gabon surrendered earlier to the troops after she was wounded on her left calf during the series of encounters launched by the troops of 23IB in the area.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol said that the series of encounters followed by the seizure of firearms and surrender reveals the degraded morale and condition of the CTG members at the hands of their current leaders who are incapable of leading them.
"The series of neutralization of the CTG's high-ranking leaders have left them with inexperienced ones. They are no longer experts in military tactics but are only bandits and extortionists," the EastMinCom Commander said.
He also called out the remaining members of the CTG to "rethink if their stay in the terrorist movement with their incompetent leaders is worth dying."
"Surrender now and avail the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) instead of sacrificing your lives while your families are suffering," he added.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol assured that they will continue intensifying their security operations to secure the elections in May and end the local communist armed conflict in June.
"While we are finalizing our task to finish the remaining strongholds of the CTG in Eastern Mindanao, it is also our priority to ensure a secure, accurate, and free election this year to comply with the marching order of our Commander in Chief, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte," he said.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Commmand, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) through the directive of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has successfully foiled the planned attacks of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) against civilian communities as the troops of 1001st Infantry Brigade killed a CTG high-ranking leader and two of his companions during an encounter in Brgy. Tupaz, Maragusan, Davao de Oro on March 27.
They were identified as Ezequil Cortez Daguman, Central Committee member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Executive Committee member of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC), and Deputy Secretary/Intelligence Officer of Regional Operations Command (ROC), SMRC; Ruel Baylon; and Quirino Remegio, all members of ROC, SMRC.
Troops also seized high-powered firearms and war materiel composed of three M4 rifles, an M16A1 rifle, an AK47, two M203 grenade launchers, an improvised explosive device (IED), several 40mm high-explosive ammunitions, 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunitions, medical paraphernalia, and personal belongings.
LtGen. Almerol said that the encounter occurred a day before the 53rd Founding Anniversary of the New People's Army (NPA) wherein it was purportedly directed by the CPP to conduct terroristic activities against vulnerable communities. However, these were preempted through the report of concerned citizens.
"Our troops who have been conducting focused military operations since last year to sustain our crackdown against the remaining CTG were alerted by concerned citizens on the presence of armed groups attempting to plant an IED along the road. This was immediately responded to by the 1001st Brigade's troops, which led to a series of armed encounters and resulted in the death of Daguman and his comrades," he said.
The EastMinCom Commander bared that Daguman was a notorious CTG personality who was wanted for various crimes including kidnapping, serious illegal detention, double murder, robbery with violence, and murder.
"He was involved in the attacks and burning of the Lapanday Corporation Plastic Plant and Lorenzo Farm in Davao City, and the Macondray Plastic Plant in Panabo City on April 29, 2017. This led to the death of a fish vendor identified as Larry Buenafe during an IED explosion, which was supposed to block EastMinCom's responding troops," he recalled.
Apart from this, Daguman was also pointed to the murder of Datu Ruben Labawan, a tribal leader in Paquibato, Davao City in 2015.
"With the death of Daguman, those who fell victim to his atrocities, particularly the Indigenous Peoples and innocent civilians in Mindanao will now be given justice," LtGen. Almerol expressed.
Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander assessed that the CTG's foiled attacks add more proof of their weakened capability due to the massive neutralization of their leaders and members, recovery of firearms, and withdrawal of support of mass organizations.
For the 1st Quarter of 2022, EastMinCom has recorded the neutralization of 357 CTG personalities composed of 126 surrendered, 20 killed, 14 captured/apprehended, and 197 withdrawing their support. Troops also seized a total of 176 firearms composed of 157 high-powered and 19 low-powered, as well as recovered 59 anti-personnel mines.
LtGen. Almerol further shared that the CTG is on the verge of collapse, especially in the area of Davao Region, following the successive neutralization of its ranking leaders in the previous days and the firm support of the communities and local leaders to put an end to the local communist armed conflict.
"The CPP-NPA's threats are mere words to show force. These are already futile to their forces on the ground who are hungry, exhausted, and lack the resources to continue fighting due to the series of encounters with our troops," he said.
"With our continued focused military operations and support of the local government units, local agencies, and other civilian sectors, we will ensure that the CTG's reign of terror will end until we finally achieve total peace and development in this part of our country," he added, emphasizing that "the CTG is now at the sunset of their 53 years of cruelty."
The EastMinCom Commander also reiterated his appeal to the remaining members of the CTG to spare their lives by yielding to troops just as their former comrades who are now enjoying the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) – a government intervention to aid them as they reintegrate into mainstream society.
"Time and again, we are giving you the chance to live a new and peaceful life through the programs of government. May the recent death of your three comrades convince you that we are serious in our call. Those who will not heed will surely fall at the hands of government security forces," he said.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
Troops also seized high-powered firearms and war materiel composed of three M4 rifles, an M16A1 rifle, an AK47, two M203 grenade launchers, an improvised explosive device (IED), several 40mm high-explosive ammunitions, 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunitions, medical paraphernalia, and personal belongings.
LtGen. Almerol said that the encounter occurred a day before the 53rd Founding Anniversary of the New People's Army (NPA) wherein it was purportedly directed by the CPP to conduct terroristic activities against vulnerable communities. However, these were preempted through the report of concerned citizens.
"Our troops who have been conducting focused military operations since last year to sustain our crackdown against the remaining CTG were alerted by concerned citizens on the presence of armed groups attempting to plant an IED along the road. This was immediately responded to by the 1001st Brigade's troops, which led to a series of armed encounters and resulted in the death of Daguman and his comrades," he said.
The EastMinCom Commander bared that Daguman was a notorious CTG personality who was wanted for various crimes including kidnapping, serious illegal detention, double murder, robbery with violence, and murder.
"He was involved in the attacks and burning of the Lapanday Corporation Plastic Plant and Lorenzo Farm in Davao City, and the Macondray Plastic Plant in Panabo City on April 29, 2017. This led to the death of a fish vendor identified as Larry Buenafe during an IED explosion, which was supposed to block EastMinCom's responding troops," he recalled.
Apart from this, Daguman was also pointed to the murder of Datu Ruben Labawan, a tribal leader in Paquibato, Davao City in 2015.
"With the death of Daguman, those who fell victim to his atrocities, particularly the Indigenous Peoples and innocent civilians in Mindanao will now be given justice," LtGen. Almerol expressed.
Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander assessed that the CTG's foiled attacks add more proof of their weakened capability due to the massive neutralization of their leaders and members, recovery of firearms, and withdrawal of support of mass organizations.
For the 1st Quarter of 2022, EastMinCom has recorded the neutralization of 357 CTG personalities composed of 126 surrendered, 20 killed, 14 captured/apprehended, and 197 withdrawing their support. Troops also seized a total of 176 firearms composed of 157 high-powered and 19 low-powered, as well as recovered 59 anti-personnel mines.
LtGen. Almerol further shared that the CTG is on the verge of collapse, especially in the area of Davao Region, following the successive neutralization of its ranking leaders in the previous days and the firm support of the communities and local leaders to put an end to the local communist armed conflict.
"The CPP-NPA's threats are mere words to show force. These are already futile to their forces on the ground who are hungry, exhausted, and lack the resources to continue fighting due to the series of encounters with our troops," he said.
"With our continued focused military operations and support of the local government units, local agencies, and other civilian sectors, we will ensure that the CTG's reign of terror will end until we finally achieve total peace and development in this part of our country," he added, emphasizing that "the CTG is now at the sunset of their 53 years of cruelty."
The EastMinCom Commander also reiterated his appeal to the remaining members of the CTG to spare their lives by yielding to troops just as their former comrades who are now enjoying the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) – a government intervention to aid them as they reintegrate into mainstream society.
"Time and again, we are giving you the chance to live a new and peaceful life through the programs of government. May the recent death of your three comrades convince you that we are serious in our call. Those who will not heed will surely fall at the hands of government security forces," he said.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP