Kalinaw News: Former Rebel tip-off leads to discovery of CTG Arms cache in Ilocos Sur

From Kalinaw News (Jul 5, 2022): Former Rebel tip-off leads to discovery of CTG Arms cache in Ilocos Sur

Camp Aquino, Tarlac City – July 5, 2022

Troops of the 71st Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Group Defender discovered a terrorists’ arms cache in the vicinity of Sitio Ramut, Zone 7, Brgy Salincub, Santiago, Ilocos Sur on July 3, 2022.

In a statement, Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., Commander of the Northern Luzon Command revealed that “the 71IB recovered one (1) M16 rifle, eight (8) magazines (5-long and 3-short), 140 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and one (1) bandolier from the said location.”

Lt Gen Torres furthered that “a former leader of the terror group Weakened Guerilla Front AMPIS which operates in the areas of Abra, Mountain Province, and Ilocos Sur tipped the troops of the whereabouts of the said arms cache.”

“The recovered war materiel were brought to the headquarters of 71Ib for proper disposition and documentation,” said Brig Gen Krishnamurti Mortela, Commander of JTG Defender which covers the area of Ilocos Sur.

It can be recalled that the 54th Infantry Battalion conducting pursuit operations after a series of clashes with members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) on May 23-24, 2022 rescued a ranking leader of the terror group who was left by his comrades after being wounded in an armed encounter last May 26, 2022 at Sitio Belbel, Brgy. Namal, Asipulo, Ifugao.

The abandoned CTG leader was later identified as “Junel”, Vice Commanding Officer of the Front Operational Command, Weakened Guerilla Front AMPIS.

“The discovery of a cache of arms in Ilocos Sur is indicative of alias “Junel’s” sincere desire for genuine peace and projection of his gratitude to the military who helped him when he was already on the verge of death from being betrayed by his comrades, as he aided the government forces locate the CTG war materials,” added Brig. Gen Mortela.

Meanwhile, Major General Andrew Costelo, Commander of Joint Task Force Kaugnay, hailed the troops’ series of accomplishments in their area of operations including the recent discovery of two arms caches on July 01, 2022, at Barangay Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac; and another at Sitio Gued-Gued, Brgy Palis, Botolan, Zambales on June 26, 2022, and at Brgy Carmencita Floridablanca, Pampanga last June 12, 2022.

“Our efforts to create lasting peace, prosperity and development in our communities will continue until we can fully decimate terrorist organizations in our area of operations,” said Maj. Gen. Costelo.

Lt. Gen. Torres stated, “the successive discovery of CTG weapons caches further weakens the arms capability of these terror groups, preventing them from performing hostile attacks in northern and central Luzon.

“NoLCom has its doors open for the former comrades of Junel and all other remaining members of the CTG who wish to return to the fold of the law and start anew with their families,” added the NOLCOM Commander as he encouraged remaining Communist terrorists in the area to yield to the government.

[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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