THE EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) targets to defeat the remaining three guerilla fronts under its area of responsibility no later than March 31 this year.
The declaration came in the wake of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr’s order to ground commanders to destroy the remaining 11 guerrilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA) across the country.
Speaking at Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, EastMinCom spokesperson Col Maria Rosa Manuel said the command continuously holds relentless military operations and collaborates with stakeholders and local government units to destroy the remaining guerilla fronts.
“Even before the directive of chief of staff General Romeo Brawner, the directives of EastMinCom chief, Lt Gen Greg Almerol, is clear. In fact, just like what Major (10th ID Public Affairs Office chief Mark Anthony) Tito said that, currently, the Joint Task Force Agila or 10th ID is confronting one weakened guerilla front while two in Joint Task Force Diamond or 4th Infantry Division,” Col. Manuel said.
She said they are only waiting for “the announcement regarding the three weakened guerilla fronts” since only a few left (of the rebels).”
Based on the Army’s record as of January to date, there are 62 NPAs neutralized [killed, arrested, surrendered], 60 firearms recovered, and 13 anti-personnel landmines dismantled.
“We are still looking forward to it continuing as there are major operations in the joint operational areas,” she further said.
Meanwhile, Tito said four infantry brigades are presently engaging the communist guerrillas to ensure they don’t return to the cleared communities.
“Our focus is the mandate for us to defeat the last remaining front in Bukidnon not later than March 31 this year,” Tito said.” That’s why we have doubled our efforts, especially on our troops operating in Bukidnon area to dismantle the Weakened Guerilla Front 57,” he added.
Fortunately, the 10th ID managed to sustain the insurgency-free status of the Davao Region as they recorded zero violent incidents perpetrated by the communist terrorist group.
“We are proud that the 10ID, together with the PNP and other agencies, especially the Police Regional Office 11 received a plaque for recognition for sustaining the gains in Davao Region,” Tito said.
High-ranking leader surrenders to Army
Meanwhile, a communist rebel leader and three fighters surrendered to the 30th Infantry Battalion under the 901st Infantry Brigade in Surigao del Norte on March 11.
The military identified her as Juanita Leyson, also known as Kikay, and three other members as Rajem Pertos, Jezalyn Platil, and Pegi Diaz.
Captain Jonel Castillo, the Civil-Military Operations officer of the 901st IB, said Leyson was the secretary of Sub Regional Command Northland of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Leyson is the wife of the late prominent rebel leader, Rolando Leyson, who also played a crucial role as a finance officer.
Castillo said her decision to surrender would cripple the group’s extortion activities in Surigao del Norte and neighboring provinces, thus weakening the financial backbone of the communist terrorist group to fund its criminal operations in the region.
Leyson also turned over two high-powered firearms, magazines, thousands of ammunition, bulletproof vests, and various war materials.
Brigadier General Arsenio DC Sadural, commander of the 901st Brigade said, “The surrender of the SRC secretary and her comrades signifies a crucial step towards achieving lasting peace and prosperity wherein these provinces can now focus on facilitating uninterrupted delivery of services in the countryside where the armed group had terrorized for the longest time.”
The 901st Infantry Brigade covers the entire Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Island, the northern part of Agusan Del Norte, the northern part of Surigao del Sur, and the northern part of Agusan del Sur.
