Reds neutralized in Eastern Mindanao

From the Manila Times (Sep 24, 2023): 337 Reds neutralized in Eastern Mindanao (By Ruth Palo)

DAVAO CITY: The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) and its units were able to neutralize 337 members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) who were killed, arrested or surrendered to authorities from January to September of this year.

Out of 337 neutralized rebels, 31 were slain in clashes, eight were captured and 298 returned to the folds of the law.

The EastMinCom also seized 355 firearms of various calibers and 61 antipersonnel mines in the same period.

EastMinCom commander Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol said government troops will continue to strike at the dwindling forces of the communist terrorist group (CTG).

Almerol earlier lauded the troops under the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City and the local government units for their unrelenting collaborative efforts to bring down the NPA and lure its members to give up the armed struggle.

"The end of the CTG in Eastern Mindanao is now inevitable as the strong collaboration between our troops and stakeholders continues to crumble their forces," Almerol said in a statement.

Almerol, meanwhile, renewed his call to the remaining members of the CTG to surrender and avail of the benefits under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

"As we pursue the deteriorating forces of the CTG in Regions 10 (Northern Mindanao) and 13 (Caraga Region), we are also relentless in conducting sustainment operations to prevent the reentry of communist terrorists in Davao Region," he said.

He also assured that the government is on track in its bid to totally wipe out the CTG.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/09/24/regions/337-reds-neutralized-in-eastern-mindanao/1911502