Series of military ops in Mindanao yield more firearms from NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 2, 2021): Series of military ops in Mindanao yield more firearms from NPA (By Che Palicte)

TURNOVER. Alias Ronel, a courier and spotter under the New People’s Army's (NPA) Guerilla Front 53 (left), surrenders an M16 firearm to 1st Lt. Robin Cabrera of the 72nd Infantry Battalion in Arakan, North Cotabato on Nov. 29, 2021. It was one of the seven surrendered firearms during the series of recent operations by the troops under the 10th Infantry Division in Soccsksargen and Northern Mindanao. (Photo courtesy by 10ID)

A series of military operations and surrender of former rebels in Mindanao from November 28 to 30 has resulted in the recovery of firearms and subversive documents from communist armed groups.

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) reported Thursday that their troops have seized firearms during combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Bayabas, Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province on November 28 and 29.

In an interview, Eastmincom spokesperson Maj. Alex Mindalano said troops from the 1002nd Brigade, 73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB), 10th K9 Team, and Intelligence units seized two firearms composed of an M653 rifle along with seven magazines with ammunitions and 9mm pistol with 19 rounds of ammunition, a commercial radio, and documents that are deemed subversive during a series of combat operations launched against members of the NPA and the secretary of Guerrilla Front (GF) Tala identified as Meridio Sambilad alias Yoyong/Boyaks.

Mindalano said a hot pursuit operation has been launched by the 73IB to capture Sambilad and another member who managed to flee during an encounter.

“Troops had also coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the area in conducting checkpoint operations to block their possible escape routes,” he added.

For his part, Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of Eastmincom, said that former members of GF Tala who already yielded to authorities have disclosed information regarding the whereabouts of the two fleeing rebels.

“As much as possible, we wanted our troops to deal with NPA members and leaders peacefully but they chose a rather rash action by firing against government forces. As soldiers, it is part of our mandated task to contain violent acts for the safety of the rest of the people living in the communities,” he added.

He also urged Sambilad and his comrade to surrender peacefully adding that they have nowhere else to go.

“Surrender now and avail of the benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP),” Almerol said.

On November 29, 72IB troopers seized a Colt M16 rifle in Sitio Rancho, Barangay Kulaman Valley, Arakan, North Cotabato, while an M16 Elisco rifle with 18 rounds of ammunition was surrendered by alias Ronel, a courier and spotter under the New People’s Army (NPA) Guerilla Front 53.

Meanwhile, the Community Support Team of the 3IB in Quezon, Bukidnon facilitated the surrender on November 30 of two Militia ng Bayan members --Christian De Mesa Pancho and Roy Panes Lingco, who brought with them an improvised M79 grenade launcher, a .38-caliber revolver, and a .357-caliber revolver believed to be owned by the Platun Bagsik under Guerilla Front Malaya of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

Almerol said the Eastmincom continues to conduct intensified combat operations in response to the bulk of information that was shared by former rebels to the troops.

“This accomplishment is part of the ramped-up initiatives against the NPA in order to meet the goal of ending the local communist armed conflict by 2022," Almerol said.

He said former rebels who have surrendered to the troops continue to work closely with the government in pushing for peace and development in communities while at the same time receiving assistance from the government through E-CLIP such as free housing, firearms remuneration, livelihood assistance, and scholarship, among others.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID), said in a statement that he remains optimistic that more firearms will be recovered within its area of responsibility by the end of the year due to the continuous positive effect of Executive Order No. 70 and its impact on the remaining sympathizers and members of the NPA.

“The gains of Agila Division will continue to soar higher before the year ends, our ultimate accomplishment beyond the numbers of recovered firearms and other parameters is the growing number of former supporters working with the government for lasting peace and sustainable development geared towards conflict and insurgency-free communities.” he said.

EO 70, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in December 2018, created National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict that institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach for collective participation and action in harmonizing government development efforts and services to support, facilitate and pursue the country's peace agenda as an effective solution against communist rebellion.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The National Democratic Front, meanwhile, has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1161569