Kalinaw News: EastMinCom Nabs 3 More Communist Terrorists, Seizes Firearms

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 11, 2021): EastMinCom Nabs 3 More Communist Terrorists, Seizes Firearms

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.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/eastmincom-nabs-3-more-communist-terrorists-seizes-firearms/