The Philippine Army leadership lauded Philippine Army Major Units' (PAMUs) operating troops for scoring key victories against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and Local Terrorist Groups (LTGs) during the first five months of 2023.
PAMUs carried out focused military operations across various regions, resulting in the neutralization of 645 CTG and LTG members and the recovery of 621 firearms in the first five months of the year. The Army, as a champion of the government’s whole-of-nation approach, also worked hand-in-hand with government agencies, civil society groups and communities, contributing to the Filipino people's pursuit of peace, stability, and progress. The 10th Infantry “Agila” Division (10ID) has prevented the resurgence of insurgency in the Davao Region since the area was declared insurgency-free on October 2022. Agila troopers facilitated the voluntary surrender of 89 CTG members and the recovery of 53 firearms during the first five months of 2023. Moreover, the 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division (11ID), which covers the Sulu Archipelago, recorded 86 surrendered LTG personalities and 54 recovered firearms from January 2023 to May 2023.
Army operating troops also recently scored key victories against state enemies, further enhancing the security landscape in the country. Notably, operating troops from the 9th Infantry "Spear" Division (9ID) and their police counterparts arrested Dindo Monsanto (alias "Boy"), a ranking CTG officer responsible for orchestrating several terrorist attacks in the Bicol Region. Monsanto's arrest led to the eventual surrender of eight CTG members and the recovery of five high-powered firearms. Moreover, the 4th Infantry "Diamond" Division (4ID) apprehended three ranking CTG leaders and seized seven high-powered firearms in Northern Mindanao while the 3rd Infantry "Spearhead" Division (3ID) successfully neutralized 12 CTG members and captured 16 firearms in Central Visayas and Western Visayas.
These operational gains build upon earlier victories recorded from April 2023 to May 2023. The 8th Infantry "Stormtroopers" Division (8ID) neutralized seven CTG members and confiscated 15 firearms and 14 massive food caches in Eastern Visayas. In Central Mindanao, the 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division (6ID) neutralized three ranking CTG leaders, facilitated the surrender of 22 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) members, and seized 10 high-powered firearms and war materiel at a checkpoint in Cotabato.
Other PAMUs also made substantial contributions to the Army’s operational gains for the first five months of the year. The 5th Infantry "Startroopers" Division (5ID) recovered 30 high-powered firearms during focused military operations in the Cagayan Valley Region; the 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division neutralized 16 CTG and LTG members and captured 23 firearms in 19 encounters; the 2nd Infantry "Jungle Fighter" Division (2ID) neutralized 51 CTG members and captured 43 firearms in 12 encounters; and the 7th Infantry "Kaugnay" Division (7ID) facilitated the surrender of 12 CTG members and seized 17 firearms in two encounters.
Army operating troops remain steadfast in complying with President and Commander-in-Chief Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to be catalysts for the surrender and disarmament of CTG members. “Be vigilant against elements that will undermine our hard-earned peace and our hard-earned stability,” President Marcos told the 111,000-strong Philippine Army during the organization’s 126th Founding Anniversary Celebration on March 2023.
Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. commended Army operating troops for continuing the campaign to drive the CTG and LTGs to irrelevance. "Let us continue to be peacemakers and champions of the government's whole-of-nation approach as we fulfil our mandate of serving the people and securing the land," Lt. Gen. Brawner remarked.
Photo courtesy: 3ID, 4ID, 9ID, 8ID, 6ID, and 5ID