DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. commended the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) for its achievements in defeating communist insurgents and maintaining peace, progress, and stability in the region.
Teodoro commended EastMinCom for its effective internal security operations during the celebration. Addressing military officials and guests, Teodoro praised the command’s role in fostering safer communities over the past year.
“First of all, I congratulate you on your relentless internal security operations, which have been met with great success, sustained by continuity,” Teodoro said.
Eastern Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Rex Luis Bergante highlighted its accomplishments as it marked its 18th anniversary on Wednesday by reaffirming its commitment to peace and security in the region.
Lt. Gen. Luis Rex Bergante, commander of EastMinCom, announced a significant milestone in their counterinsurgency efforts: the dismantling of all 30 New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla fronts within their jurisdiction.
“I am proud to report that we have dismantled all 30 NPA guerrilla fronts in our area,” said Lt. Gen. Bergante, highlighting a major achievement in the ongoing pursuit of peace and stability across Eastern Mindanao.
Lt. Gen. Bergante further noted that in 2016, Eastern Mindanao accounted for 56% of the country’s insurgent activity, with an average of three violent incidents occurring daily. By 2018, the region had become a national priority in the government’s counterinsurgency campaign.
“Through our collective efforts, we have achieved a strategic victory,” he declared, acknowledging the crucial role played by local communities in diminishing the influence of communist terrorist groups.
He also emphasized that 5,597 former rebels have been successfully reintegrated into society, with 87% already benefiting from government support.
“Today, these former adversaries are now our partners in peace-building,” Bergante added.
A pivotal moment in EastMinCom’s campaign was reached in October 2022, when the Davao Region was officially declared insurgency-free.
“This achievement, endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., exemplifies the power of unity in overcoming conflict,” he noted.
With the theme honoring 18 years in service, the Eastern Mindanao Command commemorates its 18th Founding Anniversary with the theme: “EMC @18: A Journey of Transformation towards Genuine Healing and Reconciliation in Eastern Mindanao,” held at the NIF-EM Multi-Purpose Gymnasium, Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City.
“Today, we celebrate with great pride and joy this milestone as we rededicate ourselves to our sworn duty of protecting our borders, ensuring the safety of our people, and safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.
“In times of threat or challenges, we have always been reliable, responsive, and ready. Be it in the name of progress or change, we have always been a pioneer, a pillar, a partner.”
Thus, in the presence of the Secretary of National Defense, I am proud to report to the nation our collective actions in defeating the communist insurgents and maintaining peace, progress, and stability in the region. First, let me give you a brief background of the insurgency situation in Eastern Mindanao at the start of our campaign to better appreciate our accomplishments.
The 30 NPA Guerrilla Fronts in our area of responsibility in 2016 accounted for 56% of the total insurgent force nationwide, with an average of three violent incidents recorded every day. For this reason, Eastern Mindanao was declared a National Priority Area in the government’s counter-insurgency campaign in 2018. Additionally, Eastern Mindanao has been affected by the Local Terrorist Group (LTG) because of its proximity to Central Mindanao.
Through our combined efforts, focused on liberating communities from Communist Terrorist Groups’ (CTGs) influence and manipulation, we have achieved a strategic victory. I am proud to report that we have dismantled all 30 Guerrilla Fronts and reduced the CTG’s manpower by 83% from 1,295 in 2018 to just 269 as of this date.
Remarkably, our campaign has led to the reintegration of 5,597 former rebels and underground mass organizations into the government fold. Today, these former adversaries are now partners in peace-building, marking a significant step toward our goal of achieving lasting peace and stability. Of this figure, 87% have already received grants from the Comprehensive Livelihood Programs while 13% are still awaiting clearances.
An aggressive campaign by the Command, in collaboration with various stakeholders, has led to another landmark victory: the declaration of the Davao Region as the third at the Regional level to be declared “insurgency-free” in October 2022. This achievement, endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., underscores the power of unity in overcoming conflict.
“Let me emphasize that the Command’s campaign has focused on sustaining the gains and preventing the resurgence of terror activities. The absence of NPA atrocities from 2021 to date signals the success of our local peace engagements and community-driven developments,” he said.
Indeed, the collaborative strategies have brought remarkable results. Surigao del Norte, once a hotbed of insurgency, was declared “insurgency-free” earlier this year.
In our effort to hunt down members of the Local Terrorist Group, comprehensive and inclusive Anti-Terrorism measures were also implemented, in collaboration with local government units, resulting in the dismantling of the lone terrorist cell in 2018 and zero terrorist atrocities from 2017 to date.
“I wish to underscore that these major successes against our enemies would not have been possible without the support of other law enforcement agencies, the initiatives of well-meaning stakeholders, and the continued vigilance of our people,” he added.
In the area of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response, the Command’s record remains solid, as HADR teams were deployed, providing quick responses in rescue and recovery efforts, especially in saving the lives of distressed and stranded citizens during the massive flooding across the Davao Region and the Masara landslide earlier this year.
“We applaud these major milestones, all in the name of service, service that has proven time and again that it is reliable, trustworthy, and always ready,” he further said.
“As we continue our pursuit of healing and reconciliation in insurgency-cleared communities, we are also rallying their patriotic spirit to protect our national interest within our borders. This is aligned with our gradual shift to external defense operations with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) as the principal framework,” he said.
MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE
“At the heart of everything we do are the people who have unceasingly supported us. I give my utmost respect, admiration, and sincerest gratitude to our leaders, headed by our Commander-in-Chief, Armed Forces of the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” he said.
“We would also like to recognize all our former Commanders who laid the groundwork and paved the way for all the milestones that we have achieved. Our gratitude also extends to our valued stakeholders, comrades in uniformed service, and our allies and partners, for their steadfast support in the overall accomplishment of our mission,” he said.
“However, this day will not be complete without recognizing our brothers-in-arms who have paid the ultimate sacrifice during our campaigns. We carry on with our battle, with renewed spirit and inspiration from our fallen heroes as we honor their sacrifice,” he added.
