AFP Eastern Mindanao Command cites recent gains vs NPA rebels

Among the weapons seized from NPA rebels after a skirmish in Surigao del Sur last May 11. Photo from Eastmincom

DAVAO CITY—The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has scored significant gains against the communist rebels in the first five months of 2023.

Eastmincom commander Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol said the recent battlefield victories are a “testament to our continuous efforts to finish the dwindling communist terrorist group units in our joint operational area and to attain just and lasting peace in Eastern Mindanao.”

Eastmincom said that from January to mid-May, it has neutralized 155 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and seized 172 firearms and 28 anti-personnel mines.

The most recent campaign led to the death of three ranking NPA guerrillas in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur last May 11.

Two of the said fatalities were identified as Alberto Castañeda alias Bern and JD, commanding officer of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16C, Guerrilla Front 16, and Eric Mahinay Colon alias Neo, political guide of Squad 1 of the same front, all under the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Almerol said Eastmincom has committed to eradicate NPA presence in eastern Mindanao this year “with the help of local government units and the support of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.”

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