NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has reported the dismantling of another six Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) units in its joint operational area this December.
These are composed of the Regional Sentro de Grabidad, Regional Operational Command, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (RSDG, ROC, SMRC), a Vertical Unit; Sub-Regional Committees (SRC) 1, 2, 4, and 5, under SMRC; and SRC 4 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
Most of them formerly operate in Davao Region and Bukidnon.
LtGen. Almerol said they were declared dismantled through a Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC) Resolution approved and signed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, LtGen. Bartolome Vicente O. Bacarro and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., on December 6.
He also said that as a result of the neutralization of the CTG leadership, followed by no reports of their activities or presence in their former mass bases, the Eastern Mindanao Area-Clearing and Validation Committee (EM-ACVC) composed of the EastMinCom and Area Police Command – Eastern Mindanao (APC-EM) recommended the CTG units’ dissolution to the JPSCC on October 6.
“Since the declaration of the Davao Region as “insurgency-free,” EastMinCom has not monitored any extortion activities, harassment, and other atrocities by the CTG, including their presence in the said area,” the EastMinCom Commander said.
It can be recalled that the Davao Region was declared “insurgency-free” by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on October 27, following the defeat of the CTG in the area through the convergence of the civilian government and the military under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol encouraged the remaining members and leaders of the CTG to yield peacefully, so they can be reunited with their loved ones, especially since the Chrismas Season is here.
“Christmas Season symbolizes freedom, and you cannot experience that if you are away from your families who are already missing you. It is time for you to embrace the government’s offer to help you start a new life. I, therefore, urge all the remaining CTG leaders and members to return to the folds of law and avail of government programs under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), so you may enjoy genuine Christmas without fear,” LtGen. Almerol added.
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