NPA front secretary in Surigao Sur yields to Army

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24, 2023): NPA front secretary in Surigao Sur yields to Army (By Alexander Lopez)

BACK TO MAINSTREAM. Grecyl Yparraguirre Rubi, alias Raquel (center), secretary of the Guerrilla Front 30 (GF-30), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the New People's Army (NPA), together with her husband Ramil Salazar Quesada, alias Ben (right), the vice commanding officer of Platoon 1, GF-30, and Robert Arreza Yparraguirre, alias Mark (left) of Platoon 1, GF-30, yield to the 36th Infantry Battalion in Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur on Thursday (June 22, 2023). Another NPA member, Bakekor Lauro Masiga, alias Pidok, a member of Sentro De Grabidad 16 of NEMRC, also surrendered to the 36IB on the same day. (Photo courtesy of 36IB)

BUTUAN CITY – The secretary of the Guerrilla Front 30 (GF-30) under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the New People’s Army surrendered to the forces of the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) in Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur on Thursday.

In a statement Saturday, the 36IB identified the surrenderer as Grecyl Yparraguirre Rubi, alias Raquel.

Three other members of GF-30 also yielded to 36IB on Thursday, including Ramil Salazar Quesada, alias Ben, the husband of Rubi, and the vice commanding officer of Platoon 1, GF-30; Robert Arreza Yparraguirre, alias Mark of Platoon 1, GF-30; and Bakekor Lauro Masiga, alias Pidok, a member of Sentro De Grabidad 16 of the NEMRC.

They also handed over to the Army an AK-47 rifle, an M-14 rifle, an AR-18 rifle, and an M203 grenade launcher.

In the same statement, Lt. Col. Vincent Viray, the commander of 36IB, said the four lamented the difficult situations they endure due to the intensified military operations in the area.

“Their decision to surrender stemmed from exhaustion and hunger. With our focused military operations, they are now running out of food and other essential supplies. They also experienced demoralization with the failure of the promises of their leaders,” Viray said.

He added that Rubi and Quesada also wanted to reunite with their children and live peacefully as a family.

“I welcome you back to the mainstream society. I am also grateful for your courage in coming out with the decision to abandon the terrorist movement,” Viray said.

He also encouraged the remaining NPA rebels in Surigao del Sur to surrender and avail of the programs and services of the government.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1204206

NPA rebels killed in clash in Zambo Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24, 2023): NPA rebels killed in clash in Zambo Sur (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)\

(Screenshot from Google Map)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A New People’s Army (NPA) combatant was killed in a clash with government troops amid continued offensive against the rebel group in Zamboanga del Sur, a top military official said Saturday.

Lt. Col. Nolasco Coderos Jr., 97th Infantry Battalion (97IB) commander, said the clash broke out in Sitio Tulah, Barangay Sunop, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur at about 3:33 p.m. Friday.

Coderos said the slain rebel was not immediately identified except that the latter belongs to the defunct NPA’s front committee Big Beautiful Country.

He said the clash ensued when the troops chanced upon the NPA rebels while on security patrol in Sitio Tulah, Barangay Sunop.

“The troops launch(ed) security patrol after they receive(d) information about the presence of NPA rebels in the area,” Coderos said in a phone interview. “They (NPA rebels) go around from one community to the other, forcing the residents to give them food and money.”

He said the troops also recovered assorted war materiel and personal belongings abandoned by the NPA rebels, who fled after the 22-minute firefight.

The remains of the slain NPA rebel were turned over to the village officials for proper identification and disposition.

Coderos said the NPA rebels were the same group that figured in a firefight against the combined team of 97IB and 53rd Infantry Battalion troops in Barangay Paraiso, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday.

Paraiso is adjacent to the village of Sunop located at the borders of Mahayag and Dumingag towns.

A militiaman was injured during the clash in Paraiso on Wednesday.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1204209

9 wounded as troopers, armed group clash in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24, 2023): 9 wounded as troopers, armed group clash in Sulu (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

(PNA file image)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Nine were wounded when a gunfight ensued between government troops and members of a suspected private armed group allegedly maintained by a former vice mayor in Maimbung, Sulu, Saturday morning.

The Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WM) said the firefight broke out around 7 a.m. in Barangay Bualo Lipid, wounding eight government troopers and a civilian.

The APC-WM did not identify the wounded troopers except that four of them belong to the Provincial Mobile Force Company, two from the Special Action Force, and one from the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion.

Reports said the troops were about to serve search and arrest warrants against former Maimbung Vice Mayor Pando Mudjasan, who is also a Moro National Liberation Front leader, when the firefight began.

The Mudjasan group opened fire at the approaching authorities, prompting the latter to return fire.

A stray bullet injured a civilian, whose identity was not immediately known.

The former vice mayor has standing warrants of arrest for double murder, multiple murder, two counts for frustrated murder, and for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regular Act.

APC-WM said Mudjasan's group is a potential private armed group that may be utilized in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 30.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1204221

Navy's Exercise 'Pagsisikap' 2023 begins in Zambo City

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24, 2023): Navy's Exercise 'Pagsisikap' 2023 begins in Zambo City (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

Exercise "Pagsisikap" 2022, Brooke's Point, Palawan (Courtesy of PH Navy)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Navy (PN), through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), formally opened Exercise “Pagsisikap” 2023 Saturday in this southern port city.

Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor, NFWM commander, said the Exercise Pagsisikap (exerting effort) is an annual unilateral activity conducted to sustain the Fleet-Marine Units.

“It is purposely conducted to enhance the capability of the Fleet-Marine Concept particularly in the planning and execution of amphibious operations in the littoral battle space,” Miraflor said in an interview.

Miraflor said it also aimed at testing the Amphibious Task Group concept which will be built around the Landing Dock or Landing Ship with landing force, surface connectors, aviation and special operations.

Miraflor said the exercises will be held within the area of operations of the NFWM.

He said 839 navy personnel will participate in the exercise that will end on June 28.

Exercise Pagsisikap 2023 will also involve the use of eight ships, four amphibious assault vehicles, and one aircraft.

The holding of the military exercise is coupled with the conduct of Civil Military Operation activities like medical and dental outreach mission.

Miraflor said they are targeting to serve around 1,000 beneficiaries on Sangbay Island in Hadji Muhtamad town in Basilan province.

They will also give free medicines aside from free basic services that will include haircut.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1204220