Thursday, October 10, 2019

NPA leader hurt, 3 others nabbed in Sarangani operation

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10, 2019): NPA leader hurt, 3 others nabbed in Sarangani operation



ARRESTED. Police personnel transfer New People's Army (NPA) leader Nicanor Claro Pason to a hospital in General Santos City on Thursday morning (Oct. 10, 2019). Pason, the secretary of the NPA's Guerilla Front 73, was wounded following his arrest along with three other rebels in joint police and military operation around 5:30 a.m. in Maitum town, Sarangani. (PNA photo by Richelyn Gubalani)

A ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sarangani province was wounded and arrested along with three other rebels in a joint police and military operation in Maitum town on Thursday morning.

Lt. Col. Teody Condesa, spokesperson of the Sarangani Police Provincial Office,
identified the arrested NPA leader as Nicanor Claro Pason, 51, alias “Kumander Yoyong,” “Ron-ron” and “Acostan,” the secretary of the Guerilla Front 73.

Condesa said Pason and three other NPA members were traveling aboard two motorcycles when they were nabbed around 5:30 a.m. at a portion of Barangay Kalaong in Maitum.


Condesa said the Sarangani police and the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion earlier established a choke point in the area due to reports regarding the presence of NPA rebels, including Pason.

He said the team initially flagged down the suspects for verification but one of them, who turned out to be the NPA leader, resisted and reportedly tried to hurl a grenade towards them.

“The (operating team) was forced to shoot Pason, wounding him on the left foot,” he said in a phone interview.

The three other arrested NPA members were identified as Bernard Presbetero alias Aldrin, 47, of Miana Subdivision, Polomolok town in South Cotabato; Josephine Sumagaysay, 53, of Barangay Zion, Maitum; and, Reynaldo Loyola, 47, of Barangay Kalaong, Maitum.

Condesa said Pason, who hails from Barangay Kablacan in Maasim town, has six standing warrants of arrest issued by various courts for murder, arson, and other crimes.

Pason allegedly led a series of attacks, including the burning of buses and heavy equipment, these past years in Sarangani province and the neighboring areas, authorities said.

Condesa said Pason is considered as one of the top leaders of the NPA in the area and led the Front 73, which operates in the municipalities of Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum in Sarangani.

“This is a major blow to the NPA and a huge gain to our continuing intensified anti-insurgency campaign,” he said.

He added that Pason and the three other rebels, who are under tight security, will be charged with possession of explosives.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082814

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.