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NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023 in Eastern Mindanao concluded as a remarkable testament to unity and peace.
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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 – Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) troops under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol captured three more communist terrorists and seized some firearms along with other supplies during combat operations conducted on December 7, 8, and 9, respectively.
The three communist terrorists are members of the Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SRGU, SRC5, SMRC) identified as Emelita Tausan alias Beauty, Medic of Basil Platun; Judy Ann Malurag alias Eba, Supply Officer, Squad Primera of Basil Platun; and Biring Dagkitan alias Ailyn, Medic, Squad Primera of Basil Platun who were seized by the troops 1003rd Brigade’s 89th Infantry Battalion (89th IB) and intel units in an encounter at Sitio Pusod, Barangay Cayaga, San Fernando, Bukidnon on December 7, 2021.
The clash ensued when government forces encountered around six members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) headed by Ida Marie Montero alias Mandy of SRGU, SRC5, SMRC.
Troops were also able to seize the CTG’s supplies consisted of three backpacks, assorted food, and 30 kilos of rice during the encounter.
On a separate incident, soldiers of the 901st Bde’s 36th Infantry Battalion (36th IB) also seized high-powered firearms and other war materials composed of an M16 rifle with four magazines, 35 rounds of ammunition, a bandolier, a hand grenade, components of an improvised explosive device, and some personal belongings during an encounter against Platoon 1, Guerilla Front 30, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (Pltn 1, GF 30, NEMRC) at Sitio Catupgas, Barangay Nurcia, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur on December 9, 2021.
Based on the report of the 36th IB, the encounter stemmed from a tip-off by local officials and civilians regarding the presence of communist terrorists in the area which prompted the troops to pursue the group especially that it was allegedly behind the murder of two individuals identified as former Barangay Sibahay Captain Ramir Silvano and former rebel Richard Sarabosing in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur on April 29 and December 1, 2021, respectively.
GF30, NEMRC is also associated with the killing of another individual identified as Expedito Gonzales Sr. alias Datu Bidao of Sitio Lubcon, Barangay Mabahin, Cortes, Surigao del Sur on December 7, 2021.
Meanwhile, troops of 402nd Brigade’s 23rd IB also seized another set of firearms composed of an M4 rifle with a magazine and 21 rounds of ammunition and two containers containing assorted ammunitions after figuring in a 10-minute clash against the members of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Sagay of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) led by alias Napnap at Sitio Tacub, Barangay Rizal, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on December 8, 2021.
LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of EastMinCom, said that manhunt operations and other combat operations are simultaneously being conducted all over Eastern Mindanao to subjugate the remaining CTG members.
“I commend the troops for their unwavering passion and determination to end the local communist armed conflict by 2022 by working hard day and night. Their professionalism is indeed unmatched as they do their job of protecting the people,” LtGen. Almerol said.
The EastMinCom Commander also reiterated his call upon the remaining CTG members and leaders to stop their futile attempt of hiding from the authorities and urged them to surrender peacefully so that they can be reunited with their loved ones this Christmas season.
“May they choose the path of peace instead of continuing to resist the government for the sake of a violent and senseless cause. Your loved ones are already missing you. It’s time that you embrace the government’s offer to help by yielding peacefully,” LtGen. Almerol said, addressing the remaining CTG members and leaders.
LtGen. Almerol reminded CTG members and leaders that the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, a government program that extends remuneration and other forms of assistance such as livelihood, scholarship, and housing, among others, is still being offered to rebels who choose to surrender peacefully to the government.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Eastern Mindanao Command’s (EastMinCom) relentless operations against the Communist Terrorist Group, as directed by Commander LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, elicited a spike in surrender as 11 more communist terrorists capitulated while troops also seized high-powered firearms and explosives on separate incidents.
LtGen. Almerol said that the surrenderers belong to the CTG’s Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) and Sub-Regional Committee 3 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC3, NCMRC) who capitulated on December 5 and 7, respectively.
Out of the 11 surrenderers, eight belong to FSMR identified as Orlando Potol Igalan alias Carding/Arman, Jerome Sogotan Palapan alias Rockey, Rosita Mansibad Bualan alias Tban, Rita Damaoso Panay alias Goliau Black, Jonathan Sarno Arcala alias Ariel, Ryan Sarno Arcala alias Tamsi, Boy Bilog Caway alias Boyka/ Baking, and Rolan Lipay alias Happy who yielded to the troops of 1002nd Brigade's 73rd Infantry Battalion (73rd IB) and Intel units at Sitio Kibayo, Barangay Sugai, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental on December 7, 2021.
The eight surrenderers also endorsed their high-powered firearms composed of two M16 rifles and an M653 rifle to the troops.
Another communist terrorist identified as Janrex Oganap alias Nilo, a member of GF Musa, FSMR, also surrendered to the troops of 73rd IB and gave up his Cal. 45 pistol, two cellular phones, and a Baofeng radio on December 5, 2021.
On the same day, combined troops of the 73rd IB, 10th K9 Team, Intel units, and PNP who were pursuing CTG leader Meredio Sambilad alias Yoyong of the now-defunct GF Tala seized an M60 machine gun at Sitio Sabu, Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province through the aid of former rebels.
Meanwhile, two communist terrorists belonging to SRC3, NCMRC identified as Armando Rabanes alias Antoy/Dagat/Omar Ibarra, Deputy Secretary/Finance Officer/Political Officer/Spokesperson, and Marvin Hinampas Campos alias Manoy, Squad Leader, Squad 1, Platoon Sagay also surrendered to the troops of 402nd Brigade and Intel units and gave up their firearms consist of an M16 rifle and AK47 on December 7, 2021.
On top of these, troops of the 1002nd Bde's 72nd IB and Intel units also recovered four CDX "capto" Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) weighing 12 kilograms each as a result of the revelation of a CTG courier of Guerrilla Front 57, SRC-3, SMRC during a joint intel operation launched at Sitio Upper Banban, Barangay Miaray, Dangcagan, Bukidnon on December 7, 2021.
“This detestable act is a great manifestation of the CTG’s utter disregard of IHL. Clearly, they have no qualms about endangering innocent lives in the pursuit of their violent and selfish agenda,” LtGen. Almerol said.
The EastMinCom Commander decried the CTG’s continued use of IED's which is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law.
“This detestable act is a great manifestation of the CTG’s utter disregard of IHL. Clearly, they have no qualms about endangering innocent lives in the pursuit of their violent and selfish agenda,” LtGen. Almerol said.
LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops for ensuring the safety of the people by removing the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) left by the CTG in communities. He also commended the soldiers for their unceasing support for the Command’s campaign for peace and development to meet the goal of ending the local communist armed conflict by 2022.
"We will never stop until the remaining CTG members are neutralized. We are determined more than ever to capture them that is why I urge them to surrender peacefully instead of continuing to evade our forces,” LtGen. Almerol said.
“The level of determination that our troops in Eastern Mindanao have since the beginning never wavered. Our men are strong and resolute in ending the local communist armed conflict in the country and finally pave way for unhampered development” LtGen. Almerol added.
LtGen. Almerol added that troops are also cultivating a culture of cooperation with the Philippine National Police, the populace, and the Local Government Units (LGU) in support of the whole-of-nation approach as ordered by Executive Order 70, the national campaign in ending the local communist armed conflict.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) units under LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, neutralized three more communist terrorists including a minor who yielded to the troops while more firearms were also seized on separate occasions in Eastern Mindanao.
The two communist terrorists belonging to the Communist Terrorist Group’s Platoon Andoy, Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee 5 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SRGU, SRC5, SMRC) identified as Mokong Mansumoy-at alias Pon, Squad Leader of Primera and Kumo Mansumoy-at alias Ulod, member of Squad Segunda was captured by the troops of 1003rd Brigade’s 27th Infantry Battalion (27th IB), 56th IB, and Intel units during an intel operation conducted at Sitio Sambulungan, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on December 2, 2021.
On a separate incident, a minor medic identified as alias Je-ann of the CTG’s Squad 2, Platoon 2, Guerrilla Front 30, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) also surrendered to 401st Brigade’s 75th IB in Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on December 4, 2021.
Alias Je-ann, 16, also turned over her AK47 rifle with four magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition to the troops.
Meanwhile, another female minor identified as alias Joy, member of Squad 3, Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Southland, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee also surrendered to the troops of 401st Brigade’s 75th IB on a separate incident in Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on December 3, 2021.
Alias Joy, 17, also endorsed her firearms to the troops composed of an AK47 rifle with two magazines, and 11 rounds of ammunition. She disclosed that she went in hiding after she sustained a wound during an encounter with the troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion at Sitio Paradise, Barangay Magsaysay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on December 18, 2020.
Both the minor CTG members disclosed that they decided to capitulate after realizing that their future is only bleak at the hands of their communist terrorist leaders and that they want to start a new life enjoying their youth free from hunger and fear.
LtGen. Almerol said that families of the two minors intend to file charges before the court and the Commission on Human Rights against CTG leaders for violation of Republic Act 9851 otherwise known as the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity” and the International Humanitarian Law.
The EastMinCom Commander added that troops will assist the families in fast-tracking the filing of charges so that justice will be served against those who are responsible.
In another feat, more firearms and other war materials composed of an M16 rifle with 11 magazines and ammunition, another M16 rifle with an attached M203 grenade launcher, and 8 rounds of M203 ammunition, a Garand rifle with two clips and ammunition, two rounds of rifle grenades, a Baofeng radio with charger, and a solar panel, among others, were also seized by the troops of the 1002nd Bde's 73rd IB, 10th K9 Team and Intel units, while conducting a pursuit operation against remnants of the now-defunct Guerrilla Tala headed by Meredio Sambilad alias Yoyong/Boyaks at Sitio Kalnge, Brgy Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province on December 3, 2021.
Troops located the high-powered firearms through the aid of former rebels (FR) alias Uyo, who surrendered to 73rd IB on November 29, 2021, after evading government forces along with Sambilad during the conduct of pursuit operation, said FR also revealed an M14 rifle on December 2, 2021.
LtGen. Almerol said that troops continue to conduct intensified combat operations all over Eastern Mindanao to capture the evading communist terrorists as part of its goal of ending the local communist armed conflict by 2022.
“We are determined to finish the job that we started without compromising the International Humanitarian Law. Our sustained operations are evident in our series of accomplishments as more than anything else, it is our intent to walk the talk,” LtGen. Almerol said.
The EastMinCom Commander also did not fail to remind the remaining communist terrorists that it is never too late to surrender to the government peacefully. He reiterated that the Christmas season is the best time to surrender so that the communist terrorists can finally be reunited with their loved ones.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Another four communist terrorists capitulated to Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) troops under LtGen. Greg T. Almerol on separate occasions.
The four communist terrorists were identified as Nester Tausan alias Bong, Supply Officer of Squad Primera, Andoy of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC); Wena Teklonay alias Sirena, Supply Officer of Platoon Basil of SMRC; Arnel Guabong Empit alias Ronel, a former courier of Guerrilla Front 53, SMRC; and Alias Uyo, a member of Guerrilla Front Musa, Far South Mindanao Region (GF Musa, FSMR).
Tausan and Teklonay surrendered to the troops of the 1003rd Brigade in Barangay Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on December 1, while alias Uyo and Empit surrendered separately to the troops of 73rd Infantry Battalion (73rd IB) and 72nd IB under the operational control of the 1002nd Brigade on November 29 and 30, respectively.
Empit gave up his M16 rifle with a magazine and 18 rounds of ammunition to the troops of 72nd IB, while an M14 rifle with 50 rounds of ammunition was recovered by the troops of 73rd IB and 10th K9 Team in Sitio Kalnge, Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province on December 2, 2021, after acting upon the revelation of Alias Uyo.
Alias Uyo previously managed to evade government forces along with the Secretary of the now-defunct Guerrilla Front Tala identified as Meridio Sambilad alias Yoyong/Boyaks during a combat operation launched by the 73rd IB at Sitio Bayabas, Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province on November 28. He eventually yielded after realizing the evading troops was a futile attempt. A hot pursuit operation is still conducted by the 73rd IB to capture Sambilad.
Meanwhile, the three other surrenderers revealed that they no longer feel the relevance of the Communist Terrorist Group’s (CTG) cause, especially that they can already see the sincerity of the government's program in uplifting the lives of the people.
They disclosed that hunger and fatigue while fighting against the government also made them decide to surrender because they already want to experience a life free from a useless ideology.
LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of EastMinCom, attributed all these surrenders to the growing trust of some communist terrorists to the government which is “relentless in its delivery of programs and basic services not only to the surrenderers but also to the people living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).”
“The government’s presence and delivery of basic services are already felt by the people who are living in far-flung areas unlike in the long-distant past when their needs were neglected,” LtGen. Almerol said.
LtGen. Almerol also said that former rebels who already surrendered have been working closely with the troops in convincing their former comrades to yield peacefully, hence resulting in the snowball of surrender.
The EastMinCom Commander added that troops are already facilitating the processing of requirements to help the former rebels receive their benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol reiterated his call on the remaining CTG leaders and members to follow in the footsteps of their former comrades who already embraced the government.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Troops of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) captured two more communist terrorists and seized their firearms during an encounter in the hinterland of Sitio New Laslasakan, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on December 1, 2021.
EastMinCom Commander LtGen. Greg T. Almerol bared that the combined forces of the 27th Infantry Battalion (27th IB), 56th IB, and 3rd IB, which are all under the operational control of 1003rd Brigade captured two members of Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SRGU, SRC5, SMRC) identified as Masarinda Balite alias Alina, a medical/supply officer, and Odessa Dumol, after figuring in a 20-minute firefight with the troops.
LtGen. Almerol said that the firefight ensued after Lutenant Apoga alias Macky, Commanding Officer of SRGU, SRC5, SMRC refused to heed the appeal of the troops along with his former comrade, alias Eloy, to take the government’s offer of peace.
Balite, one of the captured communist terrorists, who was wounded during the clash was immediately given first aid by the responding troops and was brought to a nearby hospital for proper medication.
The troops were also able to seize three M16 rifles, an M4 rifle, medical kits, and other personal belongings from the captured communist terrorists.
EastMinCom through the 10th Infantry Division immediately alerted other adjacent units to launch a pursuit operation against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members headed by alias Macky who scampered away during the encounter.
LtGen. Almerol said that his troops are ensuring maximum adherence to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by tending to the needs of the captured CTG members, especially in giving the necessary medical assistance to the wounded terrorist.
“Although the CTG is considered as the enemy of the state, our troops are trained professionals who are humans first and are capable of treating others humanely,” LtGen. Almerol said, stressing that this is contrary to the lies being proliferated by the CTG to tarnish the reputation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the “Filipino people’s legitimate soldiers, and protector.”
The EastMinCom Commander reiterated that the troops’ crackdown on CTG remains non-stop and it will continue this way until it achieves its goal of ending the communist armed conflict by 2022.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol reiterated his appeal to the remaining communist terrorists to surrender peacefully to the government and be reunited with their loved ones, especially during this Christmas season.
“The government’s door is wide open for those who want to surrender peacefully during the Christmas season and beyond. You do not have to worry because you will receive assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program which you will be able to use as you start a new life,” LtGen. Almerol said, addressing the remaining communist terrorists.
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP