Kalinaw News: Joint AFP-PNP arrests alleged SPARU coddler, IP leaders send warning

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 15, 2021): Joint AFP-PNP arrests alleged SPARU coddler, IP leaders send warning



Marihatag , Surigao del Sur (SDS) – Joint elements of the Surigao Del Sur Provincial Police Office (SDS-PPO) and 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn) arrested Ernest Abenio Valdez, alias, ISTONG, 48 Y/O, male, married at his residence in Purok Camansi, Brgy Bayan, Marihatag, SDS today at around 2:40am. Said personality is a member of depensa/Milisyang Bayan (MB), liaison officer of SRC Southland and its Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) and the brother of Felizardo A Valdez, alias, ADU/PADUK, Secretary of Communist NPA Terrorists’ Sub-Regional Command (SRC) Southland.

The arrest was initiated by virtue of a search warrant NR: 2021-12 for violation R.A. 10591 for illegal possession of firearms issued by the 11th Judicial Region, RTC of Cantilan, SDS. The search was conducted at the residence of the subject personality at Purok Camansi, Brgy Bayan, Marihatag, SDS with the presence of his wife Rubelyn Felimon C Cuyno, barangay official and local media personnel.

Confiscated items were one (1) unit Pistol Cal .45 1911A with inserted magazine and six (6) live ammo, one (1) improvised marble gun and one (1) short magazine for m16 rifle. The subject was duly informed of his constitutional rights during the arrest.

The arrested personality and seized items are now in the custody of Marihatag MPS for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges.

Lieutenant Colonel Joey B Baybayan INF GSC PA, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion said that the unit remains focused and steadfast on the campaign and mission to contribute in ending NPA terrorism in Surigao Del Sur and the effort was a counter-SPARU measure to preempt NPA–initiated violent activities.

The Local Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (LTF-ELCAC) Peace Law Enforcement Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster composed of AFP, PNP and other uniformed personnel intensified its monitoring and security operations following the threats of communist NPA terrorist leader and founder Jose Maria Sison to employ its NPA terrorist liquidation squads in the urban areas.

“We are warning all those who coddle NPA Terrorists. Regardless of their status in life—civilian, politicians, name it. If we find out that you go against the law by protecting NPA Terrorists we will hit you hard using all legal means as provided by law,” Brigadier General Allan D Hambala AFP, 401st Infantry Brigade Commander, said.

“The IP leaders of Surigao Del Sur will be ready for the hunt of NPA terrorist liquidation squads. The death of our Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representative (IPMR), Datu Jumar S Bucales did not scare us at all. It only made us angrier and determined to track down NPA terrorists with the help of the AFP, “Datu Alexander Bucales, Lianga IPMR, said.

“We already accepted that our lives as IP leaders fighting the NPA terrorists are on the line. As IP leaders, we are ready to become heroes for our tribe even if it cost our lives. We are in for the fight. This is a stern warning that IPs under my watch are at war with NPA terrorists whom we declared persona-non grata. They better watch out,” Bucales added.

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