TROOPS of the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade have dismantled most of the remaining communist rebel units operating in the Caraga Region following a series of clashes and surrenders in recent months.
According to the Army, two of the New People’s Army’s three remaining platoons under the Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad (SRSDG) Westland — identified as Platun Uno and Platun Dos — have been were tactically neutralized amid sustained anti=insurgency operations by the brigade’s units, including the 29th, 30th, 36th, 48th, and 65th Infantry Battalions.
The Army reported that Platun Uno was neutralized following successive encounters in Placer, Surigao del Norte, and Anticala, Butuan City, between June and July.
Eighteen of its members were neutralized — four were killed in clashes, including SRSDG Westland commander Roderick Maco alias “Rodel,” while 14 others surrendered, among them Ricky Per alias “Rem,” the platoon’s vice commander.
The final two members yielded to the 29th Infantry Battalion on Oct. 2, turning over seven high-powered firearms.
Meanwhile, Platun Dos reportedly suffered heavy losses after an encounter with the 36th Infantry Battalion on June 25 in Sitio Libas, Barangay Sibahay, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. Its commander, Edmar Maca alias “Renren,” surrendered on August 22 and helped convince five more members to turn themselves in by October 3.
Since June, the Army said 26 members of SRSDG Westland have been neutralized through armed engagements and voluntary surrender. Only three small rebel groups remain in the boundaries of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, and San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, the report stated.
Col. Manuel Darius Resuello, acting commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said operations continued against the remaining elements led by Emmie Mar Merza Anub alias “Dongkoy.”
“We will continue our relentless operations until the last member of the remaining CTG unit in our AOR is neutralized,” Resuello said. “We hope that these remaining members will choose to surrender to avoid further fatalities in encounters and have the chance to be reunited with their families.”
The brigade also acknowledged the support of local governments and other stakeholders in sustaining efforts to end local armed conflict and strengthen peace and development programs in Caraga.
The 901st Infantry Brigade operates under the Joint Task Force Diamond of the 4th Infantry Division and is tasked with securing the northern part of the Caraga Region.
TROOPS of the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade have dismantled most of the remaining communist rebel units operating in the Caraga Region following a series of clashes and surrenders in recent months.
According to the Army, two of the New People’s Army’s three remaining platoons under the Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad (SRSDG) Westland — identified as Platun Uno and Platun Dos — have been were tactically neutralized amid sustained anti=insurgency operations by the brigade’s units, including the 29th, 30th, 36th, 48th, and 65th Infantry Battalions.
The Army reported that Platun Uno was neutralized following successive encounters in Placer, Surigao del Norte, and Anticala, Butuan City, between June and July.
Eighteen of its members were neutralized — four were killed in clashes, including SRSDG Westland commander Roderick Maco alias “Rodel,” while 14 others surrendered, among them Ricky Per alias “Rem,” the platoon’s vice commander.
The final two members yielded to the 29th Infantry Battalion on Oct. 2, turning over seven high-powered firearms.
Meanwhile, Platun Dos reportedly suffered heavy losses after an encounter with the 36th Infantry Battalion on June 25 in Sitio Libas, Barangay Sibahay, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. Its commander, Edmar Maca alias “Renren,” surrendered on August 22 and helped convince five more members to turn themselves in by October 3.
Since June, the Army said 26 members of SRSDG Westland have been neutralized through armed engagements and voluntary surrender. Only three small rebel groups remain in the boundaries of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, and San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, the report stated.
Col. Manuel Darius Resuello, acting commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said operations continued against the remaining elements led by Emmie Mar Merza Anub alias “Dongkoy.”
“We will continue our relentless operations until the last member of the remaining CTG unit in our AOR is neutralized,” Resuello said. “We hope that these remaining members will choose to surrender to avoid further fatalities in encounters and have the chance to be reunited with their families.”
The brigade also acknowledged the support of local governments and other stakeholders in sustaining efforts to end local armed conflict and strengthen peace and development programs in Caraga.
The 901st Infantry Brigade operates under the Joint Task Force Diamond of the 4th Infantry Division and is tasked with securing the northern part of the Caraga Region.
