THE capture of high-ranking officials and several members of the New People’s Army (NPA) is a “total victory” against the remnants of the rebel group in the Davao region.
For the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, it was a “complete victory” against the NPA under the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC), pulled off by joint operatives from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 in Barangay Bunawan Brooke and Barangay San Teodoro, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur on June 13.
According to the report from the 701st Infantry Brigade, one of the responding troops under the 10th ID, the apprehended individuals include the regional party secretary, the party’s vice commanding officer, and several medical teams.
They were intercepted while en route to their new deployment area in Agusan del Sur, after being forced to abandon their previous hideouts in the towns of Boston and Cateel, Davao Oriental, due to continuous military operations in the area.
Major General Allan Hambala, Commander of the 10ID Philippine Army, commended the seamless coordination between 10ID and PRO-13, emphasizing that the operation delivered a significant blow to the communist rebels and disrupted the NPA regional committee’s capacity to carry out further threats within the division’s area of responsibility.
“This apprehension marks a decisive victory against the remaining elements of the SMRC. It reflects the unwavering dedication of our troops and our partners in the PNP to safeguard the peace we have established in our communities,” Hambala said.
To recall, the group, along with other remaining SMRC members still in hiding, constitutes the last remaining communist terrorist group being pursued by the troops of the 10th ID, particularly in the towns of Boston and Cateel in Davao Oriental.
However, the relentless military operations and encounters, along with the complete withdrawal of support from the masses in areas, have led to the group’s continued downfall, the 701st IB explained in a press release.
“Isa sa mga pangunahing dahilan ng kanilang pagbagsak ay ang tuluyang pagkawala ng suporta mula sa masa, malawakang suporta ng local government units sa mga programa ng gobyerno para sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at kawalan ng malinaw na direksyon sa mga namumuno ((One of the main reasons for their downfall was the complete loss of support from the masses, widespread support by local government units for government programs to maintain order, and the lack of clear leadership direction),” 701st IB wrote in a press release.
Despite this success, the 10th Infantry Division affirmed that military operations will continue until the group is fully dismantled, in a bid to maintain the insurgency-free status of the Davao region, especially in Davao Oriental.
Moreover, following the successful apprehension, authorities were able to unearth firearms and ammunition in Barangay San Jose, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, on June 14. These included three R4 high-powered rifles, three long magazines, and 163 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition. PIA DAVAO