Philippino miliary’s mad maxing of their troop transports to combat terrorists in their southern islands.
Philippine troops use the cover of a APC during an exchange of fire with IS-linked Maute insurgents, 2017, Siege of Marawi.
Reminder that the Philippino army is still out there making good communists.
A 45-minute gunfight broke-out between the government troops and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Barangay Daganas, Bulan town in Sorsogon province around 5:28 in the afternoon, July 30.
At least 40 communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) from Komiteng Probinsya 3 of Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) under Arnel Estiller AKA Mando were encountered by the joint elements of 22nd Infantry Battalion (22IB) and 31st Infantry Battalion (31IB) while conducting security operations after receiving a tip-off from the residents about the presence of CTG in the area.
Killed during the firefight was a female Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) who was left behind by her comrades alone until she died after the government troops overran their hideout.
Captured from the fleeing NPA terrorists at the encounter site were M60 machine gun, M16 rifle, anti-personnel mine, cellphone, assorted ammunitions, roll of electric wire, propaganda materials and other personal belongings.
Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) under MGEN HENRY A ROBINSON JR PA directed the troops to continue the extensive and intensified military operations in the area and hunt down the fleeing terrorists.
MGen. Robinson extended his gratitude and commendation to the people who gave the information about the presence of the CNTs.
"The encounter was another success for the military and the Bicolano people. Your continuous support even by way of simple sharing of information about the presence of the terrorists, contributes a lot in our fight against insurgency. Our fight against this terrorist group will soon be over, as the enemy armed elements are now on continuous declining strength," MGen. Robinson enunciated.
The JTFB will continue to extend its hand for those CTG members who will choose to reunite with their families and loved ones peacefully; however, it will persistently hunt and crash those CNTs who are insisting to sow terrorism in the region.
"Kami po ay patuloy pa ring umaasa at magbubukas ng pinto sa mga kapatid nating NPA na magbabalik-loob sa ngalan ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng rehiyon. Para maiwasan ang mga ganitong sitwasyon na kung saan ay basta na lamang nilang iniiwan ang kanilang kasamahan sa bakbakan at hayaan na lamang mamatay. Gayunpaman kami po ay hindi hihinto na hanapin at puksain ang mga myembro ng Communist Terrorist Group na patuloy na maghahasik ng karahasan at sisira sa kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan," MGen. Robinson further said.
Philippine Army acquires new sea mobility asset
FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - The Philippine Army officially unveils new watercrafts in a blessing ceremony here today, today, July 28, 2020.
The new boats are intended to augment the existing water navigation mobility assets of the Army used in patrol and troop insertion operations. A single boat was put on display for the blessing ceremony.
Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Rowen Tolentino represented the Commanding General Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay during the official turn-over of the boats to Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) Commander Brig. Gen. Lincoln N. Francisco T. Tagle. The new assets will boost the counter-terrorism and the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response operations of SFR(A) especially in priority areas in Mindanao.
The boats can load at least eight individuals in full battle gear and has a minimum speed of 25 knots. A total of 52 boats are earmarked for acquisition.
“Our pursuit for modernization will ensure that the Army is capable of facing various threats in the security environment and when we perform our non-traditional military roles during disasters. We aim that through modernizing our command capabilities, the Philippine Army can better serve the people and protect the nation from whatever challenges there may be,” remarked Gapay
Filippino sniper team on top of a roof enjoying some Jollibee.
Philippine Army honors fallen soldiers from Sulu
FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - Three of the four soldiers who were killed in Jolo, Sulu yesterday were given military arrival honors at Villamor Airbase, Pasay City today, June 30, 2020.
Maj. Marvin A. Indammog, 39, Cpt. Irwin B. Managuelod, 33, Sgt. Jaime M. Velasco, 38, and Cpl. Abdal Asula, 33, died when Jolo Municipal Police Station personnel fired upon the Army intelligence team despite identifying themselves as military personnel. The four were tailing terrorist suicide bombers in the said municipality when the shooting happened.
The remains of Indammog, Managuelod, and Velasco were received by Army Commanding General Gilbert I. Gapay, the families and comrades of the said soldiers. Asula’s burial rites will be held in Sulu.
“Today we honor and remember their sacrifices for the country. We mourn and condole with their bereaved families and we ensure that the necessary assistance will be given to them,” said Gapay.
“This tragedy imposed a great loss for our pursuit of peace in the Sulu region. The Philippine Army is strongly demanding for an impartial investigation to get to the bottom of this without any intention to create animosity between the Army and the PNP. However, we are professional organizations and we will not let this pass. The Army seeks that justice be served for our fallen heroes,” added Gapay.
“The Eastern Mindanao Command has neutralized a total of 85 New People's Army (NPA) regular members in May as it intensifies its Security Operations. Fifty of which were through surrender; 31 were killed during focus military operations, and four were captured.
In Northern Mindanao, 15 NPA were killed in the relentless Focus Military Operations of the Joint Task Force Diamond while 13 surrendered as a result of peace engagement initiated jointly by the LGUs and military units on the ground. In Caraga, 16 NPA were killed during combat operations, three were captured and eight surrendered.
In Davao Region, Joint Task Force Agila's unit in collaboration with different peace partners caused the surrender of 13 NPAs. On the otherhand, a regular NPA member was captured.
16 NPAs have also yielded to the government in Region 12 over the month.”
Filipino Military crushes NPA Guerilla Front, ten members and top leaders killed
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - The New Peoples Army's (NPA) Guerilla Front (GF) 4A was crushed by the military after their top leaders were included among the ten members who were killed in a running gun battle on May 10-13, 2020, at the boundary of Nothern Mindanao and Caraga Region.
The four top NPA leaders were identified by a former rebel during a public display and identification in Gingoog City on May 13, 2020.
They were Ian Dela Rama alias “Gian,” the Front Secretary of GFC4A; Rio Amor Yuson alias “Lema,” a Finance Officer; Paquito Namatidong alias “Sangka,” leader of a Platoon; and Peter Mansaginda Pinakilid alias “Aloy” the Political Officer of GF4A.
Accordingly, an initial encounter transpired after combined elements from the units of the Joint Task Force Diamond under Eastern Mindanao Command responded to the information of a community on the consolidation of undetermined number of NPA members in the hinterland of Barangay Kamanikan, Gingoog City.
The sporadic exchange of fire, which lasted until the morning of May 13, 2020, led the troops to recover five M16, one AK47, one M14, one Carbine, explosives, communication gadgets, and devices. Voluminous documents with a high tactical value that includes a primer on Agrarian Revolution (AgRev), and Handbook on "How to Exploit the Lumads" were also recovered at the encounter site.
During the course of the pursuit, troops also found bloodstains along the NPA's direction of withdrawal.
Further information recieved by the troops that another five NPAs died during the series of encounters and their lifeless bodies were laid hastily by their scampering members on a forested area.
In a separate instance, a M16 rifle and an AK47 were captured by the elements of the 71st Infantry Battalion (IB) after they were engaged in a brief firefight with the NPAs at Sitio Magnook, Brgy. Pagibiran, Mabini, Davao De Oro at 7:00 PM of May 11, 2020.
Meanwhile, another NPA member was killed and an AK47 rifle was captured during an encounter between the elements of the 36IB and another group of NPA in the morning of May 11, 2020, at Brgy. Cabangahan, Cantilan, Surigao Del Sur.
Since May 11, 2020, a total of 11 NPAs were already killed while several firearms were recovered during security operations.
Soldiers and Marines of the Philippine armed forces in Marawi City celebrate and are all smiles after hearing the good news. "Finally after more than 6 months, 160 soldiers KIA and 1000 enemy kills. Justice is served to the top honchos of the Maute Daesh ISIS group. Clean kills from 4th Light Reaction Company sniper team and rangers from the 3rd Scout Ranger 'Excelior' Battalion got the privilege of delivering the final blow to Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute."
PHIBLEX 2016
Some more snaps I got throughout being in the Philippines.
PHIBLEX 2016
Some pictures I got to snap during so bilateral training with the Philippine Marines.
Getting to see their boot camp training there, you guys would be surprised how similar their boot camp is to ours. The females even have to shave their heads.
Pretty awesome dudes, plus the locals we great.
A Philippine Marine provides security in anticipation for the landing of U.S. Marine CH-53E Super Stallions assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 during Air Assault Support Exercise 2015-2 at Crows Valley, Philippines, July 22, 2015. The Philippine Marines participated in two weeks of bilateral training alongside U.S. Marines to improve readiness and strengthen interoperability between both forces. HMH-462 is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force through the Unit Deployment Program. The Philippine Marines are with Marine Battalion Landing Team 1, 1st Battalion, Philippine Marine Corps. Photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere
APEC 2015 Boracay Simulation Exercise-Police Regional Office (PRO6) 6 together with other partner agencies conducted a simulation exercise on bomb threat scenario. This exercise is part of their security preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meetings in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.
(Photo by: PO2 S Gigabalen, RPIO6)
Brgy. Sta Juliana, Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac – Troops from the Philippine Marine Corps and US Marine Corps conducted live fire maneuver exercise, hand-to-hand combat also known as “pekiti” and Jungle Survival Exercise as part of the on-going PH-US Balikatan 2015.