CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The Communist-Terrorist Groups (CTGs) in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro are significantly weakening and may soon be totally dismantled, says the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency on March 18, NICA MIMAROPA Regional Director Pedro Gabayan expressed confidence that two remaining provinces in the region, namely Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, might soon be declared insurgency-free.
“These groups are weakening and we are on the brink of dismantling them. We might even be able to declare some areas in the region insurgency-free soon,” said Gabayan.
He added that NICA has been working closely with various government agencies to monitor and address the recruitment attempts of the CTGs through campaigns aimed at raising awareness and preventing individuals from being lured into joining the armed struggle against the government.
“Patuloy po ang aming pakikipagtulungan sa iba’t ibang government agencies upang ma-monitor at ma-address ang mga pagtatangka ng mga CTGs sa pagre-recruit. Isinusulong namin ang mga kampanya na labanan ang mga maling impormasyon at manipulation ng mga terrorist groups,” Gabayan said.
He cited that gathering of intelligence repots on the activities of communist groups remains a top priority for NICA, ensuring that operations against insurgency are strategic and effective.
In line with Gabayan’s statements, Colonel Eric D. Guevarra, Deputy Commander of the Philippine Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade, confirmed that their forces have gained control over areas previously held by terrorists in the province.
Guevarra mentioned that the concentration of terrorist operations is primarily in the southern parts of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, where insurgents continue to disrupt peace efforts, including Philippine Army programs.
“Ang concentration ng mga operasyon ng mga teroristang ito ay nasa Southern portion ng Oriental at Occidental Mindoro. Gusto nilang [CTGs] guluhin ang mga ginagawang programa ng Philippine Army pati na rin ang maintenance ng kapayapaan sa isla ng Mindoro,” he said.
Guevarra also said that as of now, there are still three active left-wing groups operating in the Mindoro islands, namely the KLG-MAV, KLG-ICM, and Platoon GNT.
However, both Gabayan and Guevarra are optmistic that continued military operations and coordinated intelligence efforts will eventually dismantle the CTGs in the area. (ALG/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
