Kalinaw News: Former rebel aids Army to recover NPA arms cache in Agusan del Norte

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 14, 2020): Former rebel aids Army to recover NPA arms cache in Agusan del Norte



BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – With the help of the information from a former rebel (FR), another arms cache of Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorist (CNT) was unearthed by the troopers of 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion in the forested area of Sitio Sabang, Barangay Lower Olave, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on November 12, 2020.

The former rebel in the person of a certain Alias Tuyom, was previously a member of Team Baking, Squad Dos, Sentro de Grabidad (SDG) KINGDOM, Guerrilla Front-4A, and a member of Squad 1, Sub Regional Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) SAGAY, Sub Regional Command 3 (SRC3), NCMRC who surrendered to the unit last October 6, 2020.

Recovered at the said area were two Caliber .38 Revolver, five rounds of Ctg .38 Revolver ammunition and one pack bag. Moreover, the said recovered items were believed to be buried by the withdrawing remnants of SDG CAOCAO, GF-4A, and SRSDG SAGAY, SRC3, NCMRC after the encounter at Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Nong-nong, Butuan City last April 27, 2020.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Acting Commanding Officer of 23rd Infantry Battalion extended his gratitude to the former rebel for actively cooperating with the unit.

“We all know that the FRs are experts on the entry and exit points of the CNTs and they possessed more knowledge on the possible hideouts and the designated firearms cache of the armed group. We are glad that the FRs never fail to help us in ending the local communist armed conflict in our area of operations by sharing important and positive information that has a great impact on dismantling the terror group,” Paulo said.

He added that the discovery and seizure of the firearms, ammunition, personal belongings and documents will further make the lives of the remaining CNTs harder.

“These firearms and ammunition, though buried and concealed, will eventually be used by the CNTs in their future terroristic activities such as extortion and harassment of civilians in their communities,” Paulo said.

The 23rd IB commander also emphasized that several hideouts of the CNTs in Agusan del Norte were also discovered by the Army with the help of civilians.

“But the residents in far-flung communities are fighting back nowadays as they admitted of being forced to provide support to the CNTs because of fear,” Paulo said.

He cited the issues and concerns raised by civilians against the CNTs during the series of peace consultations and dialogues conducted by the 23rd IB and the local officials.

“The civilians are already tired of the CNTs. They openly aired their grievances during these dialogues and the desire to live in peace to allow government development programs and services into their communities,” Paulo said.

He also reiterated his call to the remnants of GF-4A to listen to the call of the government and return to the fold of the law.

“Do not waste your time. Listen to the call of the government. Leave the communist movement that is governed by lies, deception and false hopes. You still have that precious time to renew your lives with your families,” Paulo said.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-rebel-aids-army-to-recover-npa-arms-cache-in-agusan-del-norte/