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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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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
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - A top leader of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Sarangani and five of his high-ranking followers voluntarily yield to the combined troops of the 10th Infantry Division’s 1002nd Brigade (1002Bde), 73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB), 6th Infantry Division, and intel units at Sitio Lebe, Brgy. Kablacan, Maasim, Sarangani Province on January 19, 2022.
The surrenderers were identified as Remydio Sambilad alias Yoyong/Boyaks, Member of the CTG's Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) Executive Committee (EXECOM), Vice Commanding Officer of the Regional Operational Command, and Secretary of the defunct Guerrilla Front (GF) Tala; Benny Española alias Ay-ar, also a member of FSMR's EXECOM and former Deputy Secretary; Mary Jane Pason alias Nicole, party wife of Sambilad and former Medical Officer; Revelyn Pason alias Jinky, mother of alias Nicole and former Finance Officer; and Meylen Laugo Tangan alias April and Jesabel Shangga Tango alias Baby Colot, Medical Officers of GF MUSA, FSMR.
They also handed over two AK-47 rifles, two M203 Grenade Launchers, and an M79 Grenade Launcher to government troops.
On a separate occasion, six high-powered firearms were recovered by the troops of the 4th Infantry Division's 901st Brigade, 29th Infantry Battalion together with the Philippine National Police, following the intensified combat operations in the hinterlands of Sitio Ancili, Brgy Puting Bato, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on January 25, 2022.
The said operations were launched through the directive of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, the Commander of EastMinCom to fast-track the dissolution of the CTG in Eastern Mindanao.
The seized firearms were composed of two AK-47 rifles, an EMTAN rifle, an M16 rifle, an M653 rifle, and an M203 Grenade Launcher, while seven magazines with ammunition for AK-47, nine 40mm Grenade Launcher ammunitions, Bandolier, a Nokia cellular phone, assorted food supplies, and other personal belongings with subversive documents were also recovered.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol welcomed the decision of Sambilad and his members to surrender peacefully to finally attain genuine peace in the country.
He also said that the series of operations launched by the EastMinCom is in response to the information shared by the former CTG members to the troops on the whereabouts of their former comrades.
“The information shared by the surrenderees increased our capacity to locate other members of the CTG and conduct intensive operations to drive them away from communities. We attribute this to the growing trust of some NPA members in the government, not only because of our programs for their former comrades but also the delivery of basic services to the people living in far-flung areas,” LtGen. Almerol said.
The EastMinCom Commander also pointed out that the series of surrenders of the CTG's top-ranking personalities and encounters with their elements are manifestations of their crumbling leadership and the fall of their former mass bases, which served as pillars of their operations.
“From this vantage point, it is apparent that the CTG has a nil chance of winning this war now that their former mass bases have already rejected them while their high-ranking leaders are either dead or are already allies of the government," he said.
LtGen. Almerol also reiterated his invitation to remaining CTG leaders and members to "lay down their arms as the government's door is always open for those who wanted to embrace a new life," assuring that they will get all assistance they need through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) strongly supports the proposal of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to implement a mandatory military service among 18-year-old Filipino youth.
We believe that the role of our youth in the peace, development, and stability of our country is vital given the current security situation both internal and external. Aside from modernized assets, we need more forces to keep up with the demands of our defense sector, not only in times of conflict but also during natural disasters.
In other countries, the youth aged 18 or above have to serve their armed forces mandatorily for 2 years.
If the proposal will push-through, we will have a massive human resource that can readily respond for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response operations.
Aside from this, we believe that the proposal will instill discipline, develop leadership, and nurture patriotism among the young members of our society, which are necessary to be acquired by our next leaders. In fact, some of our great Presidents and national leaders in the past have also served in the armed forces during their youth before they took the helm of the highest seat in our government and other national positions.
Most importantly, the proposal will spare and deny our youth from the indoctrination and recruitment of organizations which have links to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), violent extremist organizations, and other lawless elements.
The communist-terrorists and other notorious groups take advantage of the vulnerabilities and idealism of our youth especially students and Indigenous Peoples (IP) to lure them in joining their lawless and criminal activities.
Above all, the mandatory military service will create a generation of law-abiding and patriotic citizens that will contribute to the National Vision 2040: Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay for all Filipinos.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – The Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) LtGen. Greg T. Almerol describes the current situation of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao as "running like a headless monster" as Pedro Codaste alias Gonyong/Serv, the 2nd top-ranking NPA Commander in Mindanao falls at the hands of combined military units following an encounter at Brgy Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon on January 21, 2022.
Following EastMinCom's direction to intensify the military offensives against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), combined forces of the 4th Infantry Division’s (4ID) 402nd Brigade, 16th Infantry Battalion, Special Action Force (SAF) of Philippine National Police (PNP), and intel units launched an operation in the said area in response to reliable information from concerned citizens about the presence of an armed group.
Troops figured in a 30-minute firefight against an estimated 15 fully armed CTG which resulted in the death of Codaste and a certain alias Zandro.
They also recovered two firearms composed of an AK47 Rifle, a Caliber .45 Pistol, an Anti-Personnel Mine (APM), three backpacks with personal belongings, and subversive documents at the encounter site.
Codaste was considered as the Acting Chairman of the NPA's Komisyun Mindanao (KOMMID) after the death of Antonio Cabanatan, Jorge Madlos, and Menandro Villanueva.
He was also a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) Central Committee, National Democratic Front (NDF) Consultant, Deputy Secretary KOMMID, former Secretary of Guerilla Front 4A (GF4A) in Agusan del Sur during the early '90s, and later became Secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in 2009.
According to LtGen. Almerol, the death of Codaste gives justice to the victims of his atrocities in Mindanao. He had multiple warrants of arrest for murder, double frustrated murder, and attempted murder from the Regional Trial Court, 10th Judicial Region of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon since last August 2018.
The EastMinCom Commander assessed that just as what happened after the death of Ka Oris and Ka Bok, two of the top-ranking NPA leaders in Mindanao, more NPA personalities will yield to the troops as they cannot survive at hands of inexperienced leaders.
“We are seeing a snowball of surrender in the coming days with the successful neutralization of another CTG head. This is possible as the operational balance of the CTG continues to crumble while the morale of their followers depletes after a series of engagements with our troops," he said.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol reiterated his call to the remaining CTG members to surrender peacefully instead of following the path of their slain leaders.
“May you follow the steps of your former comrades who are now living a peaceful and comfortable life under the care of the government as beneficiaries of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). All you need to do is make that decisive action to peacefully surrender and we will ensure your safety and protection,” LtGen. Almerol said.
“We abhor the idea of bloodshed and we do not want to see another rebel dying for the sake of a failed ideology. Surrender now instead of wasting your lives,” he emphasized.
LtGen. Almerol also applauded the people living in the communities for their proactive sharing of information to the military “which has been instrumental in the success of its operations in Eastern Mindanao.”
He also commended the troops of 4ID, PNP, and intel units for the successful neutralization of another most wanted NPA leader in Eastern Mindanao.”
“Your exemplary job is a true source of inspiration for all Filipino people who strive to make the country better in pursuit of peace and development. Keep up the good work!” the EastMinCom Commander said.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Troops of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has seized more firearms and war materiel following a series of clashes against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the tri-boundaries of the municipalities of Amai Manabilang, Lumba-Bayabao, and Maguing, all in Lanao del Sur on January 20, 2022.
The skirmish came after concerned citizens reported the presence of some 30 armed men to the troops under the 403rd Brigade's 1st Special Forces Battalion (1SFBn), who have been pursuing the remnants of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee’s (NCMRC) Sub-Regional Committee 4 (SRC4) and SRC5 in said area.
The two-hour firefight resulted in the seizure of five high-powered firearms composed of two M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, an M14 rifle, an AK-47 rifle, assorted magazines for M16, M14 and AK-47, five linked of ammunitions for M60 GPMG, 208 rounds of AK-47 ammunitions, three bandoliers, four cellphones, assorted medical supplies and paraphernalia, backpacks with personal belongings, subversive documents, and food supplies.
No casualty was reported after the clash but troops found heavy bloodstains along the withdrawal route of the evading terrorists.
Troops of the 403rd Brigade are already conducting hot pursuit operations against the fleeing CTG and have already coordinated with other adjacent military units.
It can be recalled that the troops under 1st SFBn also encountered the same group on January 8, 2022, which resulted in the death of alias Rasty/Ade/Hansel, the Political Officer/Team Leader of Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Crackers Company of SRC5, NCMRC, and the seizure of an M60 GPMG, an M4 rifle, M16 rifle, M14 rifle, an M1 Garand rifle, and other war materiel.
LtGen. Almerol said that the CTG in Bukidnon has been running away from the government forces towards unfamiliar terrain such as in Lanao del Sur as communities in their former mass bases have already declared them persona-non-grata.
"After years of intimidation, the people have finally turned against the terrorist movement and are reaping for its benefits. Although their remnants are still on the run, lack of familiarity in the new terrain and support from communities made them easier to be pursued and engaged by our troops," he said.
"These clashes send a strong manifestation that the people are already fed up with the CTG's continued atrocities in their communities, therefore making them more participative in the military's campaign to end the communist insurgency by reporting suspicious armed groups and activities," the EastMinCom Commander added.
LtGen. Almerol also lauded the troops for the successful recovery of firearms, which he said will reduce the CTG's capacity to use them against innocent civilians.
Earlier this year, EastMinCom has successfully dismantled the CTG's SRC 5 under the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee after 14 of its top-ranking leaders surrendered on January 13, 2022.
"Team EastMinCom will not stop until the communist insurgency ends. We will finish the job before June 2022, as the CTG had already suffered major blows in the intensive focused military operations conducted by EastMinCom," LtGen. Almerol expressed.#
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP