CARMEN, Surigao del Sur – The leader of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) Noel Tumarlas Alacre found dead after the intensified military operation of the 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion at Sitio Mahanon, Maitom, Tandag City on September 16, 2022.
On September 15, 2022, at 1:30 am, more or less four (4) unidentified personalities burned three (3) motorcycles and fired several gunshots along Barangay Maitom road, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. The Mahanon Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) detachment of 36IB then conducted a strike patrol to trail the arsonists which led them along the Tandag river line. The following day, troops on the continuous pursuit of the CTGs then recovered an armed and lifeless body along the river bank of Sitio Maitom, Mahanon, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on September 16, 2022.
The cadaver was then identified as Noel Tumarlas Alacre, also known as Megan/Hardy/Heinrich/Vernie/Jerson, the Commanding Officer (CO) of Platoon 2, Weakened Guerilla Front 30 (WGF30), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Alacre has Twenty-eight (28) Warrants of Arrest for numerous Criminal Cases composing Twelve (12) counts of Murder, Eight (8) counts of Attempted Murder, Three (3) counts of Frustrated Murder, Two (2) counts of Slight Illegal Detention, One (1) count of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, Arson, and Abduction.
The 36IB was able to recover in his possession the following: One (1) R4A3, steel and plastic rifle magazines with live ammunition, rifle grenades, cellular phones, and personal items.
The terroristic act of arson and reckless firing perpetuated by the CTGs was immediately responded to by the Mahanon CAA Detachment, forcing the CTG leader to cross the Tandag river even under heavy rain and current leading to his eventual death. Troops were able to recover the lifeless body of Alacre as his subordinates fled and left their commander for their personal safety.
BGen George L Banzon, the Brigade Commander of the 901st Infantry (FIGHT ‘EM) Brigade commended the Valorian Troopers under the leadership of Lt Col Michael Rey S. Reuyan, Commanding Officer of 36IB, for their relentless operation resulting in the death of one High-Value Target (HVT), and the impending destruction of the WGF 30, NEMRC in the province of Surigao del Sur. “You have performed your duty in the best way possible, especially in maintaining peace and development thru Internal Security Operations. The truth regarding the CTG is unveiled – they are nothing but fugitives and lawless arsonist-terrorists with no dignity, having no regard for human life just to secure themselves, insisting their twisted propaganda, and fooling the populace of their failed ideology”, BGen Banzon said.
