The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) has reported significant gains in Internal Security Operations, Territorial Defense, and Disaster Response Operations during the 1st Semester 2024 Campaign Progress Review and Assessment (CPRA).
This was attended by Joint Task Force Commanders, TRIAD Staff, Area Police Command – Northern Luzon, and other field commanders at Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Thursday and Friday.
According to NOLCOM, from January 1 to June 30, 2024 it neutralized 75 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members, with 15 killed, 56 surrendered, and 4 captured.
“Additionally, 162 individuals withdrew support for CTGs, and NOLCOM confiscated 95 assorted firearms, reducing CTG’s operational capacity,” NOLCOM Public Information Office Chief Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Lutao said.
The unified command also reported that several provinces have been officially declared as having Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) such as Nueva Vizcaya on January 23, Zambales on March 1, Aurora on March 13, and Pampanga on May 30.
In territorial defense, NOLCOM conducted 74 air patrols and 40 surface patrols, covering maritime areas including Bajo De Masinloc, the Philippine Rise, and the Batanes Strait.
It has also supervised joint patrols with US INDOPACOM, involving PAF F/A-50 jets and USAF B-52H bombers and F-15 jets over the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
“NOLCOM participated in the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) with the US, Australian, and Japanese forces in the West Philippine Sea on April 7, 2024, and the US-PH Balikatan Exercise 39-2024,” Lutao remarked.
For humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts, NOLCOM executed heli-bucket operations in Benguet and Ilocos Norte to combat forest fires and conducted cloud seeding operations, to address drought conditions in South Cagayan, North Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya.
Meanwhile, 480 Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) Teams and various Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) assets were placed on high alert in anticipation of a possible typhoon onslaught.
NOLCOM Commander Lieutenant General Fernyl Buca credited the Command’s success to the dedication of its line units, including the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division, Naval Forces Northern Luzon, Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon, and the Area Police Command Northern Luzon.
Buca also urged troops to continue pursuing their targets, enhancing readiness, intelligence, collaboration with allies, and logistical capabilities.
He emphasized integrating military and socio-economic initiatives for national development, focusing on civil-military coordination, legal adherence, and performance metrics.
Buca also highlighted the need to intensify and improve information operation efforts to make internal and external stakeholders take positive actions in the West Philippine Sea in Philippine favor.
“We also need to develop strategies and tactics to counter the illegal, Coercive, Aggressive, and Deceptive actions of China,” NOLCOM stated.
NOLCOM assured it remains relentless in its mission to ensure the security and stability of Northern Luzon, protecting its territorial integrity, and providing timely disaster response to safeguard the lives of the Filipino people.
