Camp Melchor, Upi, Gamu, Isabela — Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana led the rewarding ceremony for soldiers in the 5th Infantry Division in the wake of the recent slaying of a ranking communist leader in Northern Luzon at 5ID Covered Court here.
“The men behind the 5th Infantry Division ‘Startroopers’ Division have epitomized their determination and untiring commitment in our fight against the Communist Terrorist Group that has threatened the peace and security for so long in communities in our area of operations,” Sobejana said.
“I am very happy that your division has supported the mantra ‘Ang taong masaya ay maraming nagagawa’ (Happy is the man who works a lot). Eventually, I always transform happiness into productivity. It is essential that we give equal importance to mission accomplishment and consider looking after the morale and welfare of our men and women,” the AFP Chief emphasized.
Major General Laurence Mina, Commander of 5ID, welcomed the AFP Chief and commended the divisions’ contribution to the AFP’s overall success against the communists.
Sobejana lauded the 5th ID for their accomplishments in their area of operations “as it plays a major role in keeping the peace and security in Northern Luzon and its continuous drive against insurgency.”
“As the designated protectors of the Northern Luzon region, your fearless efforts through the years have significantly contributed to the weakening presence of the most disreputable communist terrorist groups in your area of operations,” he said.
“The Startroopers Division which the 5th ID is known for has always been a tough force in conquering the enemies of the state and helping build progressive communities here in the region,” the AFP chief added.
He cited the successful extermination of the Communist Party of the Philippines-Far North Regional Party Committee in the North Luzon Commission, yet apart from its area of operation, the 5th ID “has involved themselves in fighting insurgency across the country, especially in Mindanao.”
General Mina thanked the AFP Chief of Staff for supporting the division and in enhancing the morale of the men and women of 5ID.
In recognition of the achievements of the 86th Infantry Battalion against insurgency, Sobejana led the ceremony by giving the P2 million reward from the Office of the President for neutralizing Rosalio Canubas or Alyas Yuni, commander of the terrorist group in the Cagayan Valley.
“I commend your division for the strings of accomplishments you have achieved. You have proven that your competence in Internal Security Operations complemented with an effective Civil Military Operations, it is something our countrymen can certainly depend on and for the enemy to be afraid of,” the AFP Chief added.
Canubas was Commander of the Regional Operations Command (ROC) and the Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG), Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV) of the CPP-NPA.
He was killed following an encounter with the troops of 86IB in San Mariano Sur, San Guillermo, Isabela on March 15, 2021.
Yuni eventually died from his wounds as his comrades brought him to Barangay Dingading, San Guillermo, Isabela in an attempt to hide him from the troops. They buried him in a shallow grave in the hinterlands of the barangay, the 5th ID said.
Through the continuous information shared by the locals, the troops were able to locate where they buried the NPA leader. In coordination with Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) and PNP San Guillermo, the government troops exhumed the cadaver on March 17, 2021.
