DAVAO CITY (PIA)—The Eastern Mindanao Command has reported the neutralization of several members of the New People’s Army in military operations in the area.
The joint focus military operation conducted from Sept. 7 to 9 by the Philippine Army 401st Infantry Brigade and the Joint Task Force Diamond of the 4th Infantry Division backed by air assets of the Philippine Air Force resulted in the neutralization of 11 NPA rebels that included two top rebel leaders.
Felipe Tejero Sr., alias Reb, Commanding Officer of Platoon 7 of the dismantled Guerilla Front 19 (DGF19), Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, died in the Sept. 9 encounter. Another NPA leader, Florencio L. Montella, alias Atoy, political instructor of the Regional Sentro De Grabidad and former Secretary of the Peasant Department, White Area Committee in the Caraga Region, was killed on Sept. 10.
The operations targeted Sitio Tubod, Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel in the Province of Surigao del Sur.
Government forces seized 11 high-powered firearms and six anti-personnel mines during the three-day operations.
EastMinCom chief Lt. General Rex Luis Bergante called on remaining NPA members to surrender after the clashes.
“It’s time to put a stop to the bloodshed and join the effort for progress,” LT. Gen. Bergante said.
“EastMinCom continues to offer support to those who surrender, providing rehabilitation, reintegration, and livelihood programs to help them reenter society and build peaceful lives,” he added.
The EastMinCom chief assured those thinking of surrendering that the government will give them support.
With Davao Region maintaining its insurgency-free status and Surigao del Norte in Caraga Region achieving the same status early this year, the government expects that Surigao del Sur province will be insurgency-free by the end of the year.
In an earlier interview at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas held in Davao City, Lt. Gen. Bergante said that six provinces and one city in their area of responsibility are already insurgency-free.
These are the City of Davao, the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, and Surigao del Norte.
He expects Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte to join the list of insurgency-free local governments.
“There are still parameters needed before they will be declared insurgency-free. There is a certain number of New People’s Army and firearms to be surrendered before we make the declaration,” Lt. Gen. Bergante said. (PIA/RG Alama)
