THE 10TH Infantry Division (10ID) reported a significant decrease in NPA activity in the southern region of Bukidnon. This progress follows the recent surrender of 10 communist fighters and the recovery of 18 high-powered firearms.
Ten communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) with 18 high-powered firearms surrendered to the 1003rd Infantry Brigade (1003rd IB) from April 21 to 27, 2024.
“The security improvement is currently observed in the southern part of Bukidnon,” Major General Allan Hambala, 10ID commander said in a press conference on Tuesday at the 48th Infantry battalion headquarters in Maramag, Bukidnon.
Declaration of insurgency-free status
Hambala said declaring an area insurgency-free requires further validation and collaboration with local government units (LGUs).
The 10ID covers parts of Bukidnon in Damulog, Kibawe, Dangcagan, Kitaotao, San Fernando, Quezon, Kadingilan, Don Carlos, Maramag, and 23 barangays of Valencia City.
“There is a lot of process and validation and assessment that will be conducted if it’s okay [to declare insurgency free],” he said. “What’s important to sustain our achievement and exploitable issues we need to see.”
In the pipeline for insurgency-free status includes the southern part of Bukidnon and some parts of Valencia and Malaybalay. He said NPA guerilla fronts still operate in some barangays of Bukidnon, particularly those bordering Lanao, Agusan, and Misamis Oriental.
In a press conference at Headquarters 48th Infantry (Guardians) Battalion in Maramag on Tuesday, Brigadier General Marion T. Angcao, 1003rd Infantry Brigade commander, identified the surrendered CNTs from the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Peddler of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), as follows:
- Berno Sinunta alias Kaloy, the CO of SRSDG Peddler
- Muloy Bago Donat alias Sab-a, Vice CO, SRSDG Peddler
- Manilyn Ampildon alias Mars, Political Instructor
- Sabel Buyo alias Jai2x, Medic
- Pus-ok Salubo alias Sap-sap, Squad Supply Officer
- Edo Madado alias Cardo, Member
- Leonilo Cañadilla alias Marko, a former member of HQ Loader, SRC2
- Sibya Landahay Gamot alias Katya/Sibya, Medic, Iskwad Uno
- Poto Abaw Bay-ao alias Alex, Member, Iskwad Uno
- Warlito Tumbasay Ebudan alias Piolo/Laban, Member, Iskwad Uno
Likewise, 18 high-powered firearms, composed of six M16 rifles, two M653 rifles, one M4A1 rifle, one R4 rifle, three AK-47s, four M14 rifles, and one Carbine rifle, were also retrieved by the government forces through surrender and recovery efforts.
Angcao said the surrender of these individuals and the recovery of these firearms marked a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to end insurgency in this part of Bukidnon.
“We commend the bravery of our troops and the cooperation of the local community in achieving this success,” Angcao added.
Furthermore, Major General Allan D. Hambala, commander of the 10ID, thanked the local government units and municipalities under the 10ID’s jurisdiction for their unwavering support and collaboration in maintaining peace and security in the region.
“We are grateful for the invaluable partnership with the local authorities and communities, whose dedication has been instrumental in our collective efforts towards peace-building and development in Bukidnon,” Hambala added.
