THE EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) has formally validated, confirming the complete dismantling of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
The milestone was finalized during the Joint AFP-PNP-PCG Intelligence Committee–Area (JAPPIC-Area) Periodic Status Report Validation, held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Camp 1Lt. Vicente G. Alagar in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.
Lieutenant General Adonis Ariel G. Orio PA, Commander of EastMinCom, led the verification process that solidifies the total collapse of the Communist Terrorist Group’s (CTG) operational apparatus across the strategic borders of Eastern Mindanao.
Military intelligence officials revealed that the final disintegration of the NEMRC was heavily accelerated by the strategic neutralization of its high-ranking cadres.
Most notable was the death of Edilberto Daval, known by his underground aliases “Bong,” “Waco,” and “Bill,” the commanding officer of the NEMRC’s Regional Operations Command.
Daval was killed during a fierce armed encounter with government troops in Barangay Bayan, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur.
Defense analysts state that with the formal dismantling of the NEMRC and its subordinate structures, the insurgent movement has effectively lost its regional command-and-control mechanism, destroying its capability to launch synchronized tactical offensives or manage organizational cohesion in the region.
Sustained, intelligence-driven operations in the sector forced a massive reduction in the insurgents’ remaining capabilities, slicing active CTG strength from 66 to just 30 isolated personnel, while their functional firearms inventory dropped sharply from 70 to 26.
In total, the unified campaign neutralized 57 communist regulars and recovered 44 high-powered firearms.
Orio praised the joint personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and local intelligence units for the operational victory, but warned troops against complacency.
“These accomplishments demonstrate the effectiveness of sustained intelligence-driven operations and unified inter-agency action,” Orio stated. “However, organizational dismantling does not mean that the threat has completely disappeared. Our next responsibility is to prevent the remaining CTG elements from reorganizing, recruiting, generating resources, rebuilding support networks, or regaining influence in previously affected communities.”
