Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) (PNA file photo) DAVAO CITY - The death of the most wanted leader of the New People's Army (NPA) was a major blow to the group and left a huge void in their ranks, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said Friday. In a statement, Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of Eastmincom, said the death of Menandro Villanueva alias Bok was a major breakthrough as it will take the NPA some time to replace him. Villanueva was killed by government troops in an encounter at Barangay Libudon, Mabini, Davao de Oro on Wednesday evening (January 5). "It will take the NPA some time to replace a seasoned leader as Villanueva. As a result of this, we expect more communist terrorists to either yield to the troops or continue to suffer defeats under an inexperienced leader in the coming days," Almerol said. Villanueva was the longest-serving secretary of the NPA's Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and cur
LtGen. Greg Almerol, commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) (PNA file photo) DAVAO CITY - The death of the most wanted leader of the New People's Army (NPA) was a major blow to the group and left a huge void in their ranks, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said Friday. In a statement, LtGen. Greg Almerol, commander of Eastmincom, said the death of Menandro Villanueva alias Bok was a major breakthrough as it will take the NPA some time to replace him. Villanueva was killed by government troops in an encounter at Barangay Libudon, Mabini, Davao de Oro on Wednesday evening (January 5). "It will take the NPA some time to replace a seasoned leader as Villanueva. As a result of this, we expect more communist terrorists to either yield to the troops or continue to suffer defeats under an inexperienced leader in the coming days," Almerol said. Villanueva was the longest-serving secretary of the NPA's Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and current
Eastmincom Commander Lt. Gen. Greg T. Almerol (File photo) PANACAN, Davao City - The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) capped off the year 2021 by neutralizing more than 2,071 combatants and supporters of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). In a statement Monday, Lt. Gen. Greg T. Almerol, commander of Eastmincom, said through their intensified focused military operations and the strong support of the communities, local government units, and former rebels and cadres, a total of 70 NPA rebels were killed in combat operations; 147 were apprehended, arrested and captured; 630 capitulated; and 1,224 allies withdrew their support for the CPP-NPA. He said the government troops have also recovered 690 high-powered and low-powered firearms through combat operations and surrender, and around 97 landmines. "Our troops have proven their true mettle not only in combat operations but also in times of crisis. Navigating through th
Eastmincom Commander Lt. Gen. Greg T. Almerol (File photo) PANACAN, Davao City - The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) capped off the year 2021 by neutralizing more than 2,071 combatants and supporters of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). In a statement Monday, Lt. Gen. Greg T. Almerol, commander of Eastmincom, said through their intensified focused military operations and the strong support of the communities, local government units, and former rebels and cadres, a total of 70 NPA rebels were killed in combat operations; 147 were apprehended, arrested and captured; 630 capitulated; and 1,224 allies withdrew their support for the CPP-NPA. He said the government troops have also recovered 690 high-powered and low-powered firearms through combat operations and surrender, and around 97 landmines. "Our troops have proven their true mettle not only in combat operations but also in times of crisis. Navigating through th
TURNOVER. Alias Ronel, a courier and spotter under the New People's Army's (NPA) Guerilla Front 53 (left), surrenders an M16 firearm to 1st Lt. Robin Cabrera of the 72nd Infantry Battalion in Arakan, North Cotabato on Nov. 29, 2021. It was one of the seven surrendered firearms during the series of recent operations by the troops under the 10th Infantry Division in Soccsksargen and Northern Mindanao. (Photo courtesy by 10ID) DAVAO CITY -A series of military operations and surrender of former rebels in Mindanao from November 28 to 30 has resulted in the recovery of firearms and subversive documents from communist armed groups. The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) reported Thursday that their troops have seized firearmsduring combat operations against the New People's Army (NPA) at Sitio Bayabas, Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province on November 28 and 29. In an interview, Eastmincom spokesperson Maj. Alex Mindalano said troopsfrom the 1002nd Brigade, 73rd Infantr