DAVAO CITY -- Outgoing Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana lauded the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) for its "victories" during his term as he paid a farewell visit to the troops on June 6.

During his "Talk to Troops," the DND Secretary laid down all significant accomplishments of the Command under his stint and said, "they were all impressive."

"Since 2016, I have seen you hurdle the challenges in fulfilling your mandate time and time again within your areas of responsibility. I am in awe of your victories over the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and other threat groups, which paved the way for sustainable development in Eastern Mindanao," he said.

"Pati si President Duterte ay humahanga sa inyo. Alam niya na nandito sa lugar ninyo ang pinakamalaking pwersa ng NPA at nagampanan ninyo ang inyong trabaho," Sec. Lorenzana added.

Some of the Command's accomplishments he enumerated were the seven guerilla units dismantled, and 740 CTG members and 71 high-value individuals (HVIs) neutralized, all in 2021. He also mentioned the nine guerilla fronts and vertical units dismantled, 236 members and 24 HVIs neutralized, 387 firearms and 84 anti-personnel mines captured, and 48 barangays cleared in 2022.

He likewise commended the Command's efforts to link with the Local Government Units and the communities through the Whole of Nation Approach, which paved the way for the declaration of the CTG as Persona Non-Grata in Eastern Mindanao's 12 out of 17 provinces, 18 cities, and 149 out of 170 municipalities during his leadership.

Before his talk, the Defense Secretary also visited the ongoing infrastructure projects and facilities inside Camp Panacan, Naval Station Felix Apolinario under the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad or TIKAS Project.

The TIKAS Project is a DND-DPWH convergence program aiming to address various facility requirements of different Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units all over the country.

Meanwhile, LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, the Commander of EastMinCom, expressed his gratitude to the outgoing DND Secretary for his guidance and support that resulted in the unprecedented defeat of the CTG in Eastern Mindanao.

"Secretary Lorenzana's legacy has allowed us to strengthen our capability as the people's protector with the new military assets, facilities, and programs provided for our troops during his term. These were instrumental in conquering the CTG and other threat groups, paving for the Filipino people to give us their highest trust and confidence over the years," he said.

"Today, we are so proud that, with the support of General Headquarters and guidance of the DND, Eastern Mindanao has been moving forward towards attainment of the most rapid development compared to other regions," LtGen. Almerol added.

Secretary Lozenzana was accorded full military honors by the Command and welcomed by LtGen. Almerol during his visit to EastMinCom. He will bid farewell to government service on June 30.  (PR/AFP – EastMinCom)