THE 10TH Infantry Division (ID) has recovered 220 firearms from a total of 668 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) personalities—including those who surrendered, were captured, or killed—since the start of the year.
The 10th ID officially declared its entire operational area, which includes territories covered by the Navy and Air Force under Joint Task Force Agila, as free of active NPA several months ago.
This achievement marks a sustained period of peace, though the military continues its efforts to facilitate the formal surrender of remaining former rebels.
Major Ruben Gadut, chief of the 10th ID Public Affairs Office, confirmed the status during the recent Davao Peace and Security Press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
He noted that the area has maintained a “zero active NPA” standing following the successful apprehension of the remnants of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) last June 13, 2025.
Sustained gains and integration efforts
While active combat operations have ceased, Gadut highlighted the ongoing efforts to address former rebels who have yet to formally surrender under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
“However, we still have persistent activities related to former rebels who have not yet surfaced,” Gadut stated. He explained that these individuals are still being catered to and facilitated to formally surrender under the E-CLIP, a program that has been in place since 2016.
The division’s cumulative accomplishments include the 668 CTG personalities neutralized (surrendered, captured, or killed) and the recovery of 220 firearms.
The most recent major recovery occurred on Sept. 27, 2025, in Makilala, North Cotabato, where an arms cache containing two (2) M16 rifles was discovered.
2025 combat scoreboard
Reviewing the combat scoreboard for the year, the 10th ID recorded key actions that contributed to the current peaceful environment:
- Five encounters have been recorded since January.
- The recovery of 19 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or anti-personnel mines.
- The dismantling of four temporary hideouts used by the NPA.
Gadut concluded by emphasizing that maintaining peace and order remains the division’s primary mandate, sustained not only through military operations but also through continuous Civil-Military Operations (CMO) and engagement with other government agencies.
“Again, the joint operational area of the 10th ID is generally peaceful,” he reiterated. “We have not monitored any significant recovery efforts coming from the Communist Terrorist Groups.”
Photo courtesy of Rhoda Grace B Saron
