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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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NFSA, Panacan, Davao City - Troops of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), under the supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has deterred Communist Terrorist Group's (CTG) potential bomb attacks against civilian communities and government forces after the most notorious bombmaking expert in Southern Mindanao along with his two companions were arrested by the joint forces of 1001st Brigade, Philippine National Police (PNP) and intel units during the conduct of Law Enforcement Operations in Barangay La Filipina, Tagum City on March 9.
The CTG personalities were identified as Victor Rollon, also know as Rico Rollon, bombmaker of Komisyong Mindanao (KOMMID) and Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC), Christine Joy Adorza Dula, Finance Officer of Guerrilla Front 3 (GF3), Sub-Regional Committee 4 (SRC4), SMRC, and Chargelyn Monta Casquejo, Political Instructor of Pulang Bagani Command (PBC), Regional Operations Command (ROC), SMRC.
LtGen. Almerol said that Rollon has a standing warrant of arrest for Murder and Serious Illegal Detention, Dula for the crime of Rebellion and Insurrection, and Casquejo is wanted for Homicide.
Government authorities also recovered in their possession two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), an M16 rifle, a Caliber .45 pistol with magazines and ammunitions, cellphones with sim cards, medical equipment, and subversive documents.
Meanwhile, troops of the 1002nd Brigade's 73rd Infantry Battalion (IB) together with the Mapalatan Police Station, successfully recovered two IEDs, an M16 rifle, and two Carbine rifles after a former high-ranking CTG pointed the location of an arms cache at Sitio Bagyang, Barangay Upper Suyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province on February 28.
An arms cache composed of an IED, an M16 rifle, and an M79 grenade launcher was also recovered after a member of the Milisyang Bayan (MB), who surrendered to the Community Support Program (CSP) Team of the 901st Brigade's 30IB, revealed its location at Brgy. Magtangale, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte on March 1.
Another Anti-Personnel Mines (APMs) recovered by the troops of 1001st Brigade’s 25IB and PNP after unearthing the three IEDs buried by the CTG along with the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Road in Purok 7, Barangay Basa, Trento, Agusan del Sur on March 2, following a report from the concerned citizens who noticed a protruding wire during a road rehabilitation in the said area. The troops successfully secured the community for their safe passage.
Troops from the 403rd Brigade’s 8IB conducting focused military operations also seized three IEDs, an M16 rifle with magazine and ammunition, and a computer laptop after figuring in a 30-minute firefight with the CTG at Sitio Kilap-agan, Brgy. Can-ayan, Malaybalay City Bukidnon on March 3.
As of March 11 this year, EastMinCom has reported that a total of 48 APMs were already recovered by the troops which are almost half of the 97 recovered in 2021.
LtGen. Almerol said that this successful seizure of CTG's explosives manifests the combined success of EastMinCom's focused military operations and the National Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) efforts.
"We are gaining through the NTF-ELCAC's development efforts in the former CTG mass bases and their genuine support to the surrenderees. This has paved for the cooperation of former rebels and the communities who share vital information, which led to the continued surrender and recovery of various firearms as well as IEDs," he said.
LtGen. Almerol also condemned the CTG for its continued use of APMs that have long been banned by the Geneva Convention, the International Humanitarian Law, and the Republic Act 9851.
"The CTG's incessant use of IEDs despite condemnation from civilians and the international community, show their carelessness towards the security of the civilians. They never halted using these explosives even though it has already cost the lives of innocent civilians like Keith Absalon who was ambushed and killed by the CTG in Masbate last year by detonating an IED," LtGen. Almerol expressed.
The Commander likewise assured the public that the EastMinCom will persist in conducting focused military operations to further dwindle the CTG's capability, especially in conducting bomb attacks. He also encouraged them to embrace the "culture of security" by reporting suspicious individuals and activities in their area to prevent atrocities. ###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – More Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members who are former students of the so-called “lumad schools” and its Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) members continue to surface as the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), under the supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, intensifies its campaign to pursue the remnants of dismantled CTG units in Eastern Mindanao and finally end the local communist armed conflict.
This came after more than 200 remaining members and followers of the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit (SRGU), Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC5), Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) surrendered en masse to the combined troops of 1003rd Brigade and Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office during the conduct of “Community Surrender and Declaration of Pasalikway Ceremony against the CTG" held at the Balimba Hills, Sitio JBL, Brgy. Sto Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on February 28, 2022.
The surrenderees are composed of the 13 former students of Salugpungan Ta'Tatanu Igkanugon Learning Center Inc. (STTILCI) who became CTG members, two former teachers of the same school, eight regular members of SRGU, SRC5, SMRC, six Milisyang Bayan members, four Komiteng Rebolusyunaryo sa Munisipalidad (KRM) personalities, 168 Komiteng Rebolusyunaryo sa Barangay (KRB), and seven UCCP Haran "bakwit."
They also brought various high-powered firearms and war material composed of an RPG Rocket Launcher, a Caliber .50 Barret Sniper, two M653 Rifles, four M16 Rifles, a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), a Carbine Rifle, two Anti-Personnel Mines (APM), assorted magazines, various ammunitions, two Bandoliers, four containers of rice, and Medical paraphernalia, during the ceremony.
The yielders revealed that the sustained focus military operations that led to the collapse of the SRC5, added by the lost support of the masses to the armed movement because of the series of developments made by the government in their former mass bases, convinced them to reject the failed rebellion.
Prior to the mass surrender, it can be recalled that former high-ranking members of the SRC5, SMRC led by Ida Marie Montero alias Mandy who yielded to the 1003rd Brigade on January 13 this year, encouraged her former comrades to return to the folds of the law and support the government.
"The cooperation of alias Mandy and other former rebels who previously encouraged their comrades to turn in, as well as provided our troops with valuable information on their whereabouts, allowed us to locate all remnants of SCR5 and finally convinced them to surrender," LtGen. Almerol said.
"Most significant of this is the surrender of former Salugpungan students and teachers, which gave us another proof that, indeed, there is an underground activity in these fake "lumad schools." The CTG lured our IP children to the terrorist movement, whose only desire is to be educated but were instead radicalized by their teachers," LtGen. Almerol added.
It can be recalled that EastMinCom troops neutralized Chad Errol Booc alias Chad and Jojarain Alce Nguho II alias Rain, together with three other CTG personalities during the series of armed encounters in Brgy. Andap, New Bataan, Davao de Oro on February 24, 2022.
Both personalities were also pointed out by their former students and comrades as volunteer teachers and recruiters of CTG-linked schools such as Salugpungan, Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (ALCADEV), and Community Technical College of Southern Mindanao (CTCSM), who eventually joined the armed struggle as part of their "revolutionary integration."
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the combined efforts of the troops, PNP, former rebels, and the Local Government Units for the successful clearing of the remnants of SRC5.
"This is yet another testament of the effectiveness of President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order 70 which institutionalized the Whole-of-Nation Approach. The SRC5, which is considered the most active SRC unit of the CTG in the country, is now demolished. We owe this not only to our security forces but also to our civilian counterparts and local leaders who equally contributed in finally ending the local communist armed conflict," the EastMinCom Commander said.
He also called upon the remaining members of the terrorist groups in Eastern Mindanao who are still hesitant to surrender "due to fears ingrained by their leaders."
"Your former comrades who are now at the side of our government are proof that they are now living with freedom after they chose to yield. It is high time for you to follow in their footsteps, and not those who chose to die for a failed cause. The benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and your families are waiting on your return," LtGen. Almerol emphasized.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – the Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) LtGen. Greg T. Almerol expressed the impending collapse of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in his area of responsibility after the remaining leadership of one of the oldest guerilla units in the country surrendered on February 26, 2022, at Purok San Miguel, Brgy Kidawa, Laak, Davao de Oro.
Thirteen (13) leaders and members of the Guerilla Front 3 (GF3), Sub-Regional Committee 4 (SRC4) of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC), yielded to the troops of 1001st Infantry Brigade’s 60th Infantry Battalion (60IB), 25th Infantry Battalion (25IB) and intel units after the series of focused military operations directed by LtGen. Almerol since last year neutralized their top-ranking leaders and weakened their morale to continue fighting.
The surrenderees led by Renard Galos Catarata alias SM, GF3’s Commanding Officer, and Rico Ogong Kipitan alias Bryan, Vice Commanding Officer, and 11 others also brought along with 13 high-powered firearms composed of eight M16 rifles, two M653 rifles, an AK 47 rifle, a DPMS rifle, a Caliber 9mm Pistol, and war materiel composed of several magazines, various ammunition, and medical supplies.
Alias SM said they were forced to surrender since their food supplies and physical strength were exhausted due to the relentless military operations in the area.
"We have nowhere else to go, no food supplies coming in. The masses also refused to help us,” he said.
He further said that their members are experiencing low morale due to a series of setbacks suffered by SMRC.
"My members' morale is already low because every [guerilla] front suffered defeat. They are always crying. The SMRC has also lost excellent leaders who can guide us, that is why we decided to surrender - rather than die," he added.
It can be recalled that LtGen. Almerol previously assessed the possibility of a mass surrender and series of dismantling of the CTG’s units this year following the successive neutralization of CTG top-ranking leaders.
As of the end of 2021, the EastMinCom Commander also reported that it is only confronting 10 out of 31 CTG Guerrilla Fronts in his area since 2018. Five of these are under the SMRC.
“With the surrender of the 13 personalities, we consider the GF3 as dismantled. This means that only nine Guerilla Fronts remain in our area, with most of them already weakened and are set for dismantling” LtGen. Almerol said.
“The GF3 is the second most important unit of the CTG, which covers the areas of Davao de Oro and Agusan del Sur. It has a historical value and provides high revenue to their terrorist movement through extortion activities. With its collapse, the CTG will also be strangulated from gaining resources which will lead to its eventual disintegration,” he added.
On the other hand, a member of the Milisya ng Bayan (MB) and a regular CTG member surrendered to the troops on separate occasions, bringing along two M16 rifles with a magazine, ammunitions, and an Anti-Personnel Mine (APM).
They were identified as Nikko Cabactulan Lewa alias Bonwang who surrendered to the 402nd Brigade’s 16th Infantry Battalion (IB) on February 26, and Ronelo Calihog Jr. alias Botron who surrendered on the following day to the troops of the 901st Brigade’s 36th IB.
Prior to this, troops of 1002nd Bde’s 39th IB also recovered three high-powered firearms composed of an M16A1 rifle, a Bushmaster rifle, and an M4 rifle together with seven APMs, APM paraphernalia, and subversive documents after the former rebels revealed the location of two arms caches belonging to the dismantled GF Alip at Sitio Lacobe, Brgy. Malabuan, Makilala, North Cotabato on February 25, 2022.
Another CTG members yielded to 39th IB identified in their aliases as Maymay, Jerson, Ramram, and Jegjeg, surrendered on February 24. They also brought along a Bushmaster rifle, a Garand rifle, and an improvised M79 Grenade Launcher.
LtGen. Almerol bared that the CTG’s overwhelming decrease in manpower due to the intensified focus military operations launched by EastMinCom has pushed their members to hide their firearms in caches, which will eventually be discovered by troops as former rebels disclose their location.
“The series of capitulations have left the CTG with more firearms but few members. This forces them to bury or hide their excess firearms that will, later on, be revealed by their former members,” he shared.
Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander reiterated his call to the remaining leaders and members of the CTG to surrender, emulating the right decision of their comrades who capitulated peacefully, before it’s too late.
“To the remaining CTG out there come and lay down your arms. The government’s door is always open to accept and help you to start a new life with your family through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. However, if you refuse to heed our call, we will not think twice in using our force to neutralize you for the greater good of the Filipino people who desire nothing but peace,” he also warned.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - A Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) member previously arrested in Cebu City for alleged trafficking of Indigenous Peoples (IP) was killed following a series of armed clashes with the troops of 10th Infantry Division’s 1001st Brigade (1001st Bde) at Purok-8, Barangay Andap, New Bataan, Davao de Oro on February 24, 2022.
The fatality was identified as Chad Errol Booc, and with the elements of Regional Headquarters, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (RHQ, SMRC) led by Eric Jun Casilao alias Wally/Ellan, and the Regional Operations Command, SMRC (ROC, SMRC) led by Leo Lacumbo alias Ole when the troops of 1001st Brigade's 25th Infantry Battalion engaged them in a series of encounters.
It can be recalled that EastMinCom troops are currently in pursuit operation to track down the elements of RHQ, SMRC after government authorities released wanted posters of Eric Jun Casilao with a bounty of P5.4-Million on his head and who is the possible successor of Menandro Villanueva alias Bok as Commander of the NPA’s National Operations Command.
Another four (4) CTG members slain during the clash identified as Jojarain Alce Nguho II alias Rain, a certain alias Dayday, and two (2) males still unidentified, while an M653 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, hand grenade, an anti-personnel mine, assorted food supplies, and personal belongings were recovered at the encounter site.
According to the revelation of his former comrades, Chad Booc, who graduated Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in 2016 with a degree of Bachelor of Computer Science, was a known activist and a youth/student recruiter of the CTG before he joined the armed movement.
He was also involved in various protests using IPs against the government, including the Manilakbayan which was organized by the CTG involving IPs from Mindanao in 2015.
He also volunteered as a Science and Mathematics teacher in the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (ALCADEV), a known recruitment machinery and training hub of the CTG in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, and later on, in the Bakwit School in Cebu.
During the press conference of 1001st Infantry Brigade on February 26, 2022, Rurelyn Bay-ao, an IP youth leader from Talaingod, Davao del Norte who previously confessed the radicalization in CTG-linked schools to use them in mass protests and eventually join the armed group, revealed that Booc was his teacher in Haran, Manila, and Cebu Bakwit Schools.
On February 15, 2021, Chad Booc was one of the personalities arrested by government authorities at the University of San Carlos – Talamban Campus in Cebu City after some parents from Talaingod, Davao del Norte reported about the alleged kidnapping of their IP children. The court in Cebu, later on, released him together with six others.
"After his release, Chad decided to join the armed movement, believing the deception of his superiors that bearing arms is the highest form of struggle," LtGen. Almerol said.
On the other hand, Jojarain Alce Nguho II was also identified as a former volunteer teacher at the Community Technical College of Southeastern Mindanao, Inc. (CTCSM), allegedly being run by the CTG in Maco, Davao de Oro, before it was shut down in 2020. His brother Geliejorain Nguho was captured during the encounter at Brgy. Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City last November 14, 2020, he is also a scholar of Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Incorporated (MISFI) and part-time teacher in Haran.
"The death of Booc and Nguho allows us to confirm the identity of these breeding grounds of the CTG, which are hiding behind the walls of so-called Lumad Schools. They are recruiters of the terrorist organization, pretending to be activists and volunteer teachers," LtGen. Almerol said.
The Commander of EastMinCom LtGen. Greg T. Almerol shared that all CTG-operated schools in the EastMinCom area are closed down by the Department of Education and communities due to incomplete submissions of documentary requirements and complaints from parents on their ways of teaching.
He also reported that since 2019, EastMinCom's military engineers, in partnership with the Department of Education and Local Government Units, have already built 34 schools in communities formerly influenced by the CTG, while dormitories are also being constructed to house IP students who choose to study in mainstream communities.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the slain CTG members, whom he said were victims of the CTG's deception and wrong ideology.
"This would not have happened if they took heed of our offer to abandon the armed struggle. Their only choice was to yield instead of sacrificing their lives for a terroristic cause," he said.
LtGen. Almerol also urged the remaining CTG leaders and members to peacefully surrender to the government before they face the consequences of their atrocities.
"For those who will choose to surrender, various government services through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) are waiting on your return. For those who will remain, we will relentlessly hunt you down until you will have no other option but to lay down your arms," LtGen. Almerol warned.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - A series of Law Enforcement Support Operations conducted by the combined military and police forces have led to multiple neutralization of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leaders and members on February 17-18, 2022, leaving the CTG with dwindling manpower.
A top communist terrorist leader identified as Dr. Maria Natividad Marian Castro alias Dok Nati, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee member and head of its National Health Bureau was arrested by combined forces of the 4th Infantry Division’s 401st Brigade, intel units, Joint Task Force (JTF) NCR, Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13), and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) on February 18 at her residence at San Juan City, Metro Manila.
The said personality is wanted for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued at RTC Branch 7, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on January 30, 2020.
LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), lauded the combined efforts of the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) for the successful arrest of Castro.
"This is an ultimate example of the strong synergy among our security forces. Castro must face the charges filed against her before the court to give justice to the victims of her atrocities,” the EastMinCom Commander said.
On the other hand, combined troops of the 402nd Infantry Brigade’s (Bde) intel units and Provincial Intel Unit of Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office figured in an armed encounter with the Communist Terrorist Group on February 18, which resulted in the death of a CTG leader and his wife, and the recovery of a Caliber .45 pistol with ammunition, a hand grenade, and personal belongings.
The 5-minute skirmish came after the troops acted upon a report of the concerned citizens on the presence of armed individuals in Brgy. Odiongan, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, which prompted them to conduct intelligence operations.
The two neutralized individuals were identified as Jelan Pinakilid alias Baking/Matrix, and Darling Pinakilid alias Yandy/Ate.
Prior to this, a CTG leader identified as Renerio Dablo alias Edoy was also killed by the troops of 402nd Bde's 58th Infantry Battalion (IB) while two high-powered firearms were seized following a clash at the hinterlands of Sitio Minlanag, Brgy Lawaan, Gingoog City on February 17.
The recovered firearms were composed of two M16 rifles with magazines and ammunition, subversive documents, and personal belongings.
On the same day, the successful focus military operations launched by the troops of the 1001Bde’s 60IB and intel units also led to the surrender of two CTG members.
They were identified as alias Randy and alias Arman, who brought along their high-powered firearms composed of an M16A1 rifle and a Bushmaster M16 rifle.
The surrenderees divulged that they decided to return to the folds of the law due to hunger, fear, and stress caused by the series of encounters in their area. They also said that they were convinced to surrender due to reports of their former mass supporters on the military's developmental efforts in their community and their good treatment with other former rebels.Meanwhile,
LtGen. Almerol cited that the continued decrease in manpower, firearms, supplies, and support from their former mass bases weakened the CTG's capability to fight, which led to successive armed encounters with government troops.
He also welcomed the latest neutralization and capitulation of the CTG members and has called upon their remaining comrades to surrender as their organization is already crumbling from top to bottom.
"The neutralization of the CTG's leadership from top to bottom will continue as we are decisive to dismantle their group this year. To the remaining CTG leaders and members, stop fighting the government and instead choose the path of peace by laying down your arms and embrace the government’s offer through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)," he said.
The EastMinCom Commander also said that his troops will be relentless in pursuing the remaining CTG until the terror they bring in the peace-loving communities in Eastern Mindanao is fully extinguished.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP