Tuesday, May 12, 2020

JTFB, PNP denounce CTGs statement on Sorsogon encounter’s legitimacy

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 12, 2020): JTFB, PNP denounce CTGs statement on Sorsogon encounter’s legitimacy (By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay)

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PILI, Camarines Sur, May 12 (PIA)—In a press statement issued by the 9th Infantry “Spear” Division Public Information Office (DPAO), Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) and 9ID Commander MGEN Fernando T. Trinidad categorically denied the statement released by the New People’s Army-Romulo Jallores Command (NPA-RJC) describing the illegitimacy of the recent Sorsogon encounter.

On May 8, JTFB announced the successful joint operation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) soldiers in Brgy. Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon while conducting Law Enforcement Security Operations (LESO).


Some of the items recovered at the encounter scene on May 8, 2020 at Brgy. Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon. (Photo courtesy of PNP ROV Spokerson PMaj Malu Calubaquib)

Five (5) members of the CTG were killed while several high powered firearms and subversive supplies were recovered from the encounter scene.

Evidently affected by their loss, the CTG retaliated by stating that the said operation was a massacre and not a legitimate encounter.

Trinidad said that Bicolanos should be wary of the misinformation being spread by the CTG to purposely discredit the police and the military.

“The recovered high-powered firearms and subversive supplies are proofs of their continuous lawless activities that have affected lives of innocent civilians and surrounding communities,” Trinidad added.

Police Major Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) spokesperson said that PNP Bicol also censured the CTG’s use of the word “massacre” referring to the May 8 Sorsogon encounter.

“This is another attempt of the NDF to mislead the public on what really transpired during the joint police-military operation in Brgy. Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon. The operatives were legitimately in the area purposely to serve a warrant of arrest to a notorious member of the CTG known as Recto Golimlim for murder when they were fired upon by an undetermined number of armed men later identified as CTG members,” Calubaquib said.

She added that after the firefight, the dead bodies of CTG members are wearing bandoliers which belies the NDF's claim that that they were civilians. She said that they also have guns and found in their possession were subversive documents and various other materials for indoctrination.

More so, the casualties were positively identified by rebel returnees as former comrades.

She called on the community to be wary and be critical of any information to avoid being misled by the CTGs who capitalize on the people to advance their nefarious deeds.

Trinidad also assured the communities that the JTFB will continue to ensure that peace will reign in the region by tightly coordinating with other law enforcers.

“The JTFB is full coordination with the AFP’s counterpart in the PNP as we intensify the security operations in the region to prevent the CTG from performing desperate and treacherous attacks as form of retaliation due to the significant losses they have suffered in the recent armed clash. 

(LSMacatangay, with reports from JPBelleza, DPAO,MCalubaquib, AFP/PNP-PIAV/Camarines Sur)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1041674

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