Military targets 13 more communist fronts in Mindanao

The military’s Eastern Mindanao command (Eastmincom) is looking to dismantle all communist guerilla fronts in its area by next year through its continuing intensified focused operations which has seen the death or capture of top-ranked New People’s Army (NPA) fighters including Jorge Madlos. Eastmincom chief Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol said his unit has successfully dismantled six guerilla fronts and was looking to disband 13 more by next year. He pointed out that the Eastmincom is aiming to dismantle six of the 13 remaining guerilla fronts before the end of the year and the rest in 2022. Almerol said the neutralization of 21 high-ranking NPA leaders, including Jorge Madlos, has resulted in more communist rebel surrenders. Madlos’ death in an Oct. 31 skirmish in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, has ushered in the surrender of 138 NPA rebels, when before that since January, a total of 283 regular communist fighters surrendered in trickles. —JEANETTE ANDRADE