Top Army exec cites civilian role in defeat of NPA in Caraga

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 17, 2023): Top Army exec cites civilian role in defeat of NPA in Caraga (By Alexander Lopez)

WINNING VS. INSURGENCY. Some of the 15 high-powered firearms recovered in a strike operation that killed three New People’s Army rebels and conducted by the 29th Infantry Battalion in Mt. Apo-Apo, Sitio Dugyaman, Barangay Anticala, Butuan City on Friday (June 16, 2023). Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, recognized the vital role of the civilians in the continuing fight to end the communist armed conflict in the Caraga Region. (Photo courtesy of EMC)

BUTUAN CITY – The recent success of the Philippine Army in the Caraga Region in its offensive against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) happened with the full support of the mass base in the area.

This was emphasized by Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, the commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in a statement issued on Saturday.

On Friday, three NPA rebels were killed in a strike operation conducted by the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) in the vicinity of Mt. Apo-Apo, Sitio Dugyaman, Barangay Anticala, Butuan City.

A total of 15 high-powered firearms, ammunition, a laptop, cellphones, backpacks, and subversive documents were also recovered by the 29IB troopers after the clash.

The recovered firearms consisted of five AK47 rifles, four AR18 rifles, three M4 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, and one M16 rifle.

Acting on the tip of a civilian who saw about 30 suspected NPA rebels massing up in the area of Mt. Apo-Apo, the 29IB immediately conducted a strike operation that resulted in the armed confrontation.

The rebels were the combined elements of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 21C, Guerilla Front 21, and Platoon Dao, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Westland, both under the Sub-Regional Committee Westland of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA.

“I commend the cooperation of civilians and the swift action of the troops, which resulted in the successful operation,” Almerol said.

He also expressed optimism that the recent defeat of the NPA rebels would further demoralize the group’s forces in Caraga.

"The series of defeats of the communist terrorist group in Eastern Mindanao, especially in the Caraga Region, proved that the support from their top-to-bottom leadership, including their former mass bases, is already absent,” Almerol said.

The only option for the remaining NPA rebels in the area, he added, is to surrender to escape from the consequences of their anti-people behavior at the hands of the government troops.

The remains of the NPA rebels, a male and two females, were retrieved by the 29IB forces for identification and proper disposal.

The 29IB is under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division of the Army in the area of the EMC.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203731