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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 – 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
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – As the leadership of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Eastern Mindanao weakens further following the series of neutralization of their top-ranking leaders, due to the relentless focused military operations directed by LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, the Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) to his forces, another 15 CTG members capitulated to the troops in the previous week bringing along their high-powered firearms.
The successful military operations launched by the troops of the 4th Infantry Division’s 403rd Brigade and 1st Special Forces Battalion (1SFBn) in Bukidnon has led to the surrender of twelve high-ranking leaders and members of Guerilla Front (GF) 68B, SRC4, and SRC5 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee on February 4, 2022.
The surrenderees were identified as Ponduwa Domino Hangadon alias Kayleb, Political Guide of Squad 1, Ace Company; Garry Balansi Ampoan alias Liyab, Head of Education and Propaganda of Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Crackers Company; Jobert Culentas Manlapitao alias Lance, Team Leader of Squad 1, Platun Uno, SRSDG Crackers Company; Chriza Baliling Paluga, alias Enchang, Medical Officer; John Almier Cumad Semini alias Jazz, Political Guide of Squad 1; Jason Valcorza Omongos alias Araw, Political Guide of Squad 2, Platun Uno; Cristine Baliling Paluga, alias Lexie, Political Guide of Squad 2, Platun Dos; Ariel Ochea Capin alias Arjen, Platun Leader of Platun Dos; Omar Talha Binongcasan alias Hydra, member of Squad 1, Ace Company; Reymund Jiminez Belarmino alias Saysay, member of Squad 1, Platun Dos; Jerson Sayana Ontihay alias Sawie, member of Squad 1, Platun Dos; and Niño Baliling Paluga alias Loyd, member of Squad 2, Platun Dos.
They also yielded five high-powered firearms composed of two AK47 rifles and three M16 rifles with magazines and ammunition.
This was immediately followed by the surrender of three CTG members who brought along an AK47 rifle, a Shotgun, and a Garand rifle with a scope to the troops of 901st Brigade’s 29th Infantry Battalion (IB) at Brgy Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on February 5.
They were identified as alias Zhia, the Vice Commanding Officer and Political Instructor of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) 16B, GF16 of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC); a certain alias Jing who is Zhia’s father and a Milisyang Bayan (MB) member of SYP19B, GF19 of NEMRC; and alias Dondon, a member of SYP16A, GF16.
EastMinCom has also diminished further the armed capability of the CTG as the troops of 402nd Brigade’s 23rd IB seized four AK47 rifles, an M14 rifle, five anti-personnel mines, a rifle grenade, two 20-liter containers of assorted ammunition, assorted medical supplies, personal belongings, subversive documents with intel value and other war materiel after an armed encounter transpired at Sitio Tud-ol, Barangay Tungao, Butuan City on February 4, which came after concerned citizens reported the presence of an armed group in the said area.
Another high-powered firearms recovered by the troops of 701st Brigade’s 67th IB and intel units, which contains an M14 rifle and two AK47 rifles with four empty magazines as a former leader of the dissolved GF North of SMRC revealed its location of an arms cache at the hinterlands of Sitio Cogonon, Brgy Salvacion, Trento, Agusan Del Sur on February 5.
Meanwhile, troops of the 10th Infantry Division’s 1002nd Brigade and 73rd IB also recovered an M16 rifle and an AK47 rifle after the troops acted upon the revelation of former rebels on their location of an arms cache at Brgy Malalan, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental on February 3.
It can be recalled that LtGen. Almerol previously assessed that a snowball of surrender is possible as the CTG, particularly in the area of Bukidnon, is on the verge of collapse following the successive neutralization of its top-ranking leaders such as Ka Oris, Ka Bok, and Ka Gonyong who served as the pillars of their organization.
“Our troops will never stop pursuing the remaining CTGs until the terror they bring in the peace-loving Filipino and communities in Eastern Mindanao are completely extinguished. They have no other choice but to surrender or die away from their loved ones,” he said.
He also bared that the CTG’s continued decrease in manpower prompted its members to hide their firearms in caches which can be easily captured by the troops as former rebels divulge their location, while the continued support of civilians to the troops by serving as the eyes and ears in their community has contributed to successful encounters which led to the neutralization of communist terrorists and capture of their firearms.
“The civilians and former rebels, who now serve as our partners contributed a lot to our unprecedented accomplishments. Evident to this is the series of armed encounters, the capture of CTG’s firearms, and the massive surrender which is the result of timely reporting and the active support of the local chief executives. If this will continue in the coming days, we are very optimistic that we can achieve the goal of ending the local communist armed conflict by mid-year of 2022,” LtGen. Almerol expressed.
The EastMinCom Commander also welcomed the peaceful surrender of CTG leaders and members and called upon their remaining comrades to “emulate the example of those who have already chosen the path of peace by embracing the government’s sincere offer through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to start a new life with your loved ones.” ###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP