Butuan city: The fight against insurgency remains one of the top priorities for the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 (Caraga Region) this year. In an interview on Monday, PRO-13 information chief Maj. Jennifer Omiter said that insurgency is part of the flagship program of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., under the Eight-Point Agenda. Other top priorities in the region's law enforcement operations include combating illegal drugs and smuggling.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PRO-13 has ensured the preparedness of provincial, city, municipal, and even mobile forces against insurgency. This follows visits by PRO-13 director, Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV, to the region's provinces last month to maintain heightened security awareness amid the continuing threat posed by communist remnants in the area.
A PRO-13 report on Monday indicated that in 2025, a total of 315 communist New People's Army (NPA) combatants and supporters were neutralized, comprising 221 who surrendered and 94 who were arrested. Eighty-three firearms, 227 assorted ammunition, and 33 improvised explosive devices were also seized during the arrests and surrenders.
Most of last year's NPA arrests and surrenders were carried out by the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 13, with 68, followed by the Butuan City Police Office with 67, and the Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADNPPO) with 64. The RMFB-13 also led in the number of war materials captured, with 36 firearms, 17 assorted ammunition, and 10 improvised explosive devices, followed by the Surigao del Sur PPO and the ADNPPO.
Meanwhile, the PRO-13 also celebrated PNP Day on Monday, attended by officers from the command group, regional staff, support units, and top officers from the police provincial offices. National Police Commission-13 Director Josephmar Gil served as the guest of honor, emphasizing the celebration as a reminder of the PNP's history, evolution, and commitment to public service. The PRO-13 recognized its top-performing officers, personnel, stations, units, and stakeholders from various local government units and non-government organizations during the celebration.
