CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City — An alleged high-ranking New Peoples’ Army (NPA) terrorist was arrested yesterday by joint combat maneuvering troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3rd SFBn) and Philippine National Police (PNP) at Barangay El Rio in Sibagat town, Agusan del Sur, military and police reported today.
(Czar Dancel / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Lt. Col. Rhoderick L. Parallag, commanding officer of the 3rd SFBn, identified the arrested alleged NPA high-ranking terrorist as Pablito Campos, also known as Aka “Ponsoy,” alleged secretary and political officer of guerrilla-Front Committee 21-A of the CPP-NPA Sub-Regional Committee of Westland of Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (SRCW-NEMRC).
The arrested suspect is also the alleged spokesperson of SRCW-NEMRC, Parallag also claimed.
Recovered from his alleged possession were one M4 rifle, one fully loaded long magazine, three cellular phones, one backpack containing a hand grenade and personal belongings, he said.
The said recovered items are in the custody of 3rd SFBn while the suspect is temporarily detained at Sibagat Municipal police station for further tactical interrogation.
The suspect was arrested when operating troops swooped down in his alleged safe house in Barangay El Rio, Sibagat town of that same province yesterday morning, military report said.
“The 3rd SFBn will continue its security operations in our area of responsibility in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the people. I also urged the families, relatives and neighbors of remaining NPA terrorists to encourage them to lay down their arms and live peacefully,” Parallag said.
Campos was allegedly responsible for the failed ambush of PNP Sibagat personnel on July 29, 2017 at El Rio, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur that resulted in the death of one of their comrades.
The suspect has eight arrest warrants for crimes of rebellion, frustrated murder, murder, multiple attempted murder, kidnapping and serious illegal detention that were issued by different Regional Trial Court branches in Lianga, Surigao del Sur and Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, the 3rd SFBn commander further claimed.
Since January this year, the 401st Infantry (Unity) Brigade already neutralized a number of CPP-NPAs from Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, said Capt. Rodulfo S. Cordero, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 401st Brigade.
Aside from deaths of NPAs in encounters, four were captured or apprehended and 57 have surrendered due to relentless operations of the pursuing troops, Cordero said.
Twenty-six high-powered and low-powered firearms and more than 100 improvised explosive devices, thousands of ammunitions were seized while the NPAs have lost control of four major enemy camps which were overran by the combat maneuvering troops under the 401st Brigade, he added.
“We are looking forward to more apprehensions in the coming days and weeks because the AFP and PNP have already eyes on the leadership of NPA terrorists. They are the main reason why there is a delay of development in our areas. The capture of Pablito Campos shows that our soldiers adhere to the rule of law and IHL as they respect his rights so he can face trial for all his atrocious acts against the people,” Col. Andres Centino, commanding officer of the 401st Brigade, said in a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin late this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Ronald C. Villanueva, commanding general of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) today said the arrest of Campos is a big setback of the communist movement in Caraga region.
“Campos’ apprehension is a big setback for the NPA terrorists in Caraga region knowing that he is the brain of Front Committee 21-A. He decides on which companies and personalities are for extortion and abduction. Further, he is the top propagandist and recruiter in the hinterlands of Sibagat, Bayugan and San Miguel of Agusan del Sur, the root of terrorism in the areas of Agusan del Sur. GF21A will soon experience blind leadership and eventually the downfall of the said front.” Villanueva said in a statement also sent to the Manila Bulletin today.
Villanueva is calling on the remaining NPA terrorists who are still in the mountains fighting for their failed ideology that this government has never been so welcoming to the former rebels up to this moment.
“Do not waste it! Government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) is giving away cash and livelihood assistance in exchange for your surrender and firearms and this will not be here forever. Take advantage of it and start a new life away from chaos, hunger, fear of encountering our operating troops and come back to the folds of the government,” he added.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/24/alleged-high-ranking-npa-terrorist-arrested-in-agusan-del-sur/
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