Kalinaw News: Another 8 NPA Members Surrender in Masbate, Firearms, and Explosives Seized in Continuous Security Operation

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 7, 2021): Another 8 NPA Members Surrender in Masbate, Firearms, and Explosives Seized in Continuous Security Operation



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-After seeing how the lives of their former comrades changed upon returning to the folds of the law, more members of the NPA rebels in Masbate decided to yield in the government.

On Thursday, eight NPA in the barrios yielded to the elements of the 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) who were conducting security operations in Barangay San Isidro, Palanas around 6:24 in the morning.

This happened two days after the surrender of 15 NPA members in Milagros.

Also turned in by the group were four different firearms, such as an M16 rifle, homemade shotgun, six calibers .38 revolvers, three calibers .357 pistols, and assorted ammunition.

Lieutenant Colonel Siegfried Felipe Awichen, Battalion Commander of 2IB thanked the surrenderers for making a life-changing decision of abandoning the terrorist group.

On the same day, 2IB also received a tip-off from concerned citizens that a certain Atibagos who is an active member of Larangan 2, Komiteng Probinsya 4 of Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) is allegedly in possession of firearms and explosives.

The troops immediately proceeded to the address but Atibagos managed to escape.

Quick search in the vicinity of his residence, however, resulted in the capture of a caliber .357 pistol, anti-personnel mine, laptop, two printers, projector, welding machine, amplifier, solar panel, two camouflage uniforms of Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force, signal booster, and banners of Makabayan Bloc which include Bayan Muna, Gabriela, ACT Teachers as well as progressive groups, such as Makabayan, CONDOR-PISTON, Bayan and Karapatan.

Upon verification, it was revealed that the captured anti-personnel mine from Atibagos’ residence matched with the anti-personnel mine which was detonated in Uson that killed two civilians and injured five others.

Meanwhile, Colonel Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade thanked the constituents of Barangay San Isidro for the information about Atibagos highlighting that if the said firearms and explosives were not seized, they might once again be used against the government troops and innocent civilians.

“Napakalaki ng papel na ginagampanan ng mga Masbateño sa sunod-sunod nating tagumpay sa Masbate. This should serve as a warning to the NPA that they should leave the province because the residents despise them so much,” Colonel Almase said.

Moreover, with the capture of the banners of Makabayan Bloc and various progressive groups from the house of NPA members, Major General Henry A Robinson Jr, Commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia, said that it has unmasked the real face of the said organizations.

“The Makabayan Bloc and these progressive groups have been accusing us of red-tagging. Pero ang katotohanan, hindi natin kailangang gawin ‘yan. Sabi nga sa kasabihan, ‘kahit anong tago, sisingaw at sisingaw pa rin ang baho.’ How are they going to explain this? Will they continue to deny their affiliation with the NPA and their involvement in the 5-decade insurgency in our country which has claimed precious lives? Sa muli, nananawagan tayo sa mga Bicolano, patuloy tayong magkaisa at sabay-sabay nating tapusin ang armadong tunggaliang ito,” Major General Robinson said.

Aside from the growing support of the Bicolanos and the intensified implementation of the Whole-of-Nation Approach, JTF Bicolandia also attributed these significant accomplishments to the effective and successful joint operations of the Army and the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO 5) of the PNP under the leadership of Police Brigadier General Jonnel C Estomo.

The continuous rise in the number of surrenderers and neutralization of NPA members during armed encounters and apprehensions as well as the discovery of arms cache and war materiel are the fruits of the police and soldiers’ consistent improvement of its interoperability.

“We, in the JTF Bicolandia will continue to work hand in hand with our counterpart from the PNP to sustain our gains here in Bicol and create a great impact in our campaign against communist insurgency. To the Bicolanos, rest assured that your Army and police will not waver in our thrust to serve and protect you,” Major General Robinson added.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

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