THE military reported that about 700 members and supporters of the New People’s Army, 57 of the considered high-value, were either killed, captured or surrendered this year in the areas under the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom).
The operations of the command during the period also resulted in the recovery of 598 firearms and 116 anti-personnel mines and the dismantling of eight fronts and clearing of 56 barangays from the influence of the insurgency.
This even culminated in the declaration of the Davao Region as insurgency-free on October 12.
During a briefing at the headquarters of the command, Lt. Gen. Greg T. Almerol, its commander, told Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Bartolome Vicente O. Bacarro that he was “confident and proud to report to our Chief of Staff, AFP that we are on the right track in our campaign progress. But even as we recognize this accomplishment, we know very well that we cannot rest on our laurels for the ultimate victory is yet to be achieved.”
“Rest assured, sir, that there will be no let up in defeating the remaining CTGs in order to maintain peace, progress, and stability in this part of the country,” he added.
Bacarro, in response, lauded the success of the command.
“One thing is definite: that the Eastern Mindanao Command has contributed a lot in the attainment of the mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Hindi natin maitatanggi ‘yan (We cannot deny that). This is manifested by the reduction of different power factors of the enemy,” Bacarro said.
