Kalinaw News: EastMinCom Milestones Making Headway Towards Peace and Development in Eastern Mindanao

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 23, 2021): EastMinCom Milestones Making Headway Towards Peace and Development in Eastern Mindanao



EastMinCom Milestones Making Headway Towards Peace and Development in Eastern Mindanao

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has solidified its mark in Eastern Mindanao by pushing for peace and development through its crackdown on terrorism that led to the dismantling of six Guerrilla Fronts (GFs), one Regional Guerilla Unit, and the neutralization of 21 high-ranking communist terrorists this year in just a matter of eight months.

Since LtGen. Almerol took the helm of EastMinCom on March 8, 2021, he went straight to work and called for the fast-tracking of the clearing of focus areas and the ramping up of focused military operations, which resulted to the dismantling of six guerrilla units identified as GF 4A, GF 88, GF North, GF South, GF 68A, GF 55, and a Regional Guerrilla Unit – Pulang Bagani Command.

With no letup on intensified operations, LtGen. Almerol is eyeing for the dismantling of an additional six more guerrilla fronts and a regional guerilla unit before the year ends, leaving seven guerilla fronts left for dismantling in 2022. The EastMinCom Commander, through the support of the populace, the local government units, and his troops, expressed optimism that he will be able to achieve the goal as the communist terrorist group had already suffered major blows in the recent focused military operations launched by the Command’s Joint Task Forces.

Through the Command’s relentless pressure through combat operations in affected communities and intensified stakeholder engagements/partnership, it was able to neutralize a total of 21 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leaders including Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, Commander and spokesperson of the National Operations Command and also of National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao; Arian Jane Ochate Ramos alias Marikit, Secretary of Guerilla Front 55, Sub-Regional Command 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Command; Pedro Arnado, Chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Southern Mindanao Regional Committee; Danny Huit alias Bosyong, Secreteary of GF North; Khim Agad Mapoy alias Patrick, Secretary of GF4A Sub-regional Committee 3, NCMRC; Ramil Banawan alias Migs/Kim, Secretary of GF Malayag; Adelaida Magpatok alias Gwen/Emyang /Kudaw/Robby, Former Secretary of FSMR, NDF consultant, and CPP-NPA-NDF Central Committee Member; Jocy Villaruel Papasin alias Domai, Front Secretary of Guerrilla Front 18, Sub-Regional Committee 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee; and Billy Berana Jr. alias Borjack/Simeon, Secretary of Guerrilla Front Alip, Regional Operations Command, Regional Sentro de Grabidad, Far South Mindanao Region.

The neutralization of these top-ranking communist terrorists has also led into a snowball of surrenders of its members that are operating in Eastern Mindanao. “The neutralization of these top CTG leaders is deemed a major setback to the CTG and has provided a deterrent factor that will discourage its remaining members to carry out their plans and harm the people,” LtGen. Almerol said.

Within the same time frame, a total of 412 high-powered firearms and 105 low-powered firearms were also captured by the troops from the communist terrorists in Eastern Mindanao through combat and surrender. On top of these, it had also seized a total of 65 anti-personnel mines and discovered 149 enemy lairs; hence, diminishing the CTG’s firepower.

These accomplishments were considered significant in quelling the half-a-century-old communist insurgency as they brought down the strength of the communist terrorists and also led other CTG members to surrender peacefully.

“These accomplishments would not be possible without the support of our hardworking troops and the collaboration of our stakeholders in the goal to put an end to the communist armed conflict in Eastern Mindanao and the entire Philippines. I urge everyone to continue to be on board so that we can completely eradicate communist terrorism by 2022,” LtGen. Almerol said.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol reiterated his call on the remaining CTG members and leaders to embrace a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict by accepting the government’s offer through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

LtGen. Almerol also assured the public that EastMinCom will continue to do its best in addressing the challenges of insurgency by maximizing the best practices and lessons learned from actual experiences in its operations and exploiting every opportunity to shape the operational environment to the Command’s advantage.

[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-milestones-making-headway-towards-peace-and-development-in-eastern-mindanao/

Kalinaw News: Davao del Norte welcomes another set of disgruntled NPA members, pledges a brighter future ahead

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 23, 2021): Davao del Norte welcomes another set of disgruntled NPA members, pledges a brighter future ahead



MAWAB, DAVAO DE ORO – Another set of former rebels composed of 13 regular Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) and six (6) NPAs to the barrios together with their seven (7) high-powered firearms were presented by the 10th Infantry Agila Division to Governor Edwin I Jubahib of Davao Del Norte during the media conference conducted via video-teleconferencing at DavNor’s Palace yesterday afternoon, November 22, 2021.

The said former rebels were identified to be members of the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee who surrendered at Sitio Pongpong, Barangay Dagohoy, Talaingod, Davao Del Norte through the combined efforts of 56IB, 3IB, 27IB, 89IB, and other Intelligence units all under the 1003rd Infantry Raptor Brigade on Monday morning, November 22.

Likewise, the regular CNTs were identified as Eloy Bontolan alias Eloy, Vice Political Officer; Lita Ehem alias Maya, Secretariat for Medical; Emil Bontolan alias Admiral, Team Leader of Platoon Basil; Anggil Banlas alias Dante, Political Instructor of Platoon Basil; Jeysin Tibalao alias JM, Team Leader of Platoon Basil; Manuel Mantikinon alias Kardo, Team Leader of Platoon Andoy; Merlyn Bontolan alias Aya, Member of Platoon Andoy; Angeline Balite alias Angeline, Member of Platoon Andoy; Piyot Ehem alias Piyot, Member of Platoon Andoy; Diboy Mantoaw alias Talolong, Member of Platoon Andoy; Aiza Bontolan alias Sky, Member of Platoon Andoy; Dante Tumagsa, Member of Platoon Andoy; and Raya Tumagsa, Member of Platoon Andoy. The 6 NPAs to the barrio were also identified as Boni Bontolan, Gambil Bontolan, Ambog Landahay, Jimmy Mantikinon, Boboy Anlagpang, and Gibang Gamo. Moreover, they brought along with them seven (7) high-powered firearms composed of six (6) M16 and one (1) M14 rifle.

According to Colonel Yecla, the surrender of these former rebels was due to hunger, fatigue, and stress caused by the sustained Focus Military Operations. He also attributed this surrender to Project “PANPAN,” an ongoing road opening initiated by the Indigenous Peoples in Talaingod in partnership with the Davao Del Norte and Talaingod LGUs and of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade.

“I feel happy and thankful because you understand that the focus of our government now is the unity of the people. There should be no more violence especially in Talaingod and in our province. I don’t want that there’s still NPA roaming around in our province and there’s still violence that will take away lives of our Indigenous Peoples.” Governor Jubahib said in vernacular.

Moreover, Governor Jubahib ensures that the benefits of the surrendered rebels will be given to them. He also pledged to support the education and other needs of the surrenderers’ families.

“I am happy because we are finally here (referring to numerous surrenderees in Talaingod). I hope that we continue our commitment to peace and development in Talaingod. We are here for your safety, your military will work with you to the best of our abilities. Also, other agencies of the government are here with us to continuously deliver the services that you need, to attain progress and so that no one will suffer.” MGen Torres said in filipino.

[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/davao-del-norte-welcomes-another-set-of-disgruntled-npa-members-pledges-a-brighter-future-ahead/