Kalinaw News: Top NPA Honcho Notorious for Atrocities in Paquibato District Yield

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Aug 4, 2021): Top NPA Honcho Notorious for Atrocities in Paquibato District Yield



NSFA, PANACAN, DAVAO CITY – Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) is facilitating assistance to a pregnant top honcho of the New People’s Army guerrilla unit after her surrender to the Joint Military Forces conducting an Intelligence Operation at Sitio Lamuak, Barangay Catilacan, Pikit, North Cotabato on August 01, 2021.

The NPA leader who surrendered was identified by the Joint Forces of the 10th Infantry Division, 6th Infantry Division, and Intel units as Ariane Jane Ochate Ramos alias Marikit, the Secretary of Guerrilla Front 55 (GF55), Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Marikit has long been under the radar of the military for her involvement in several extortion activities and armed clashes with the troops in the past. She was also affiliated to the League of Filipino Students and Gabriela Youth.

Further information revealed that Marikit was the party wife of Rommel Tausan alias Rommel, the former Commanding Officer of SRGU/GF 55, SRC5, SMRC who died in an armed encounter with the 27th Infantry Battalion. At present, she is in a relationship with Daniel Bandalan alias Regoy, the current Commanding Officer of GF55, SRC5, SMRC and the father of the child she is expecting.

Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) Commander LtGen. Greg T. Almerol said that the military will ensure the safety and welfare of Marikit, especially that she is expecting a child. He added that troops are working with other government agencies to facilitate the needs for her upcoming delivery.

“The Command will help Marikit to get financial assistance and other benefits from government programs and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) as she starts to live a new life,” Almerol said.

“We hope that she could also convince her current partner, alias Regoy, to surrender peacefully so that they can start a harmonious life together with their baby,” Almerol added. Almerol emphasized that the Command wanted Marikit to experience redemption through the government’s deradicalization and reintegration programs.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Almerol is expecting some members of GF55 to capitulate in the coming days since historically speaking, a surrender of an NPA leader encourages other members to follow suit.

“I commend our troops who are working tirelessly day and night just to go after the Communist Terrorist Groups which had been the reason why economic growth in some Eastern Mindanao areas are slow. Indeed, persistence and determination to positively transform our communities are the key to achieving our goal,” Almerol reiterated.

Marikit is one of the several NPA leaders who surrendered this year along with Pedro Arnado, Chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (KMP-SMRC) and National Treasurer; Ruel Dum-ogan alias Regan, Commanding Officer of HQ Force Neo, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and his wife DN Saritao, Platoon Medic of Platoon 1 of the same unit; Marvin Magrano alias Loloy, former provincial coordinator of Bayan Muna in Sarangani Province and also the Vice-Chairman of the now-defunct Guerrilla Front Tala’s Pambansa-Demokratikong Paaralan and Regional Headquarters, SMRC; Eping Iligan Salahay alias John, Commanding Officer and Milisyang Bayan of GF21C, NEMRC; Romeo Bontulan, Team Leader of Squad Abe, RHQ, SMRC; and alias Dala, a former Commanding Officer of SYP Gabon, Guerrilla Front 88.

Almerol urged the remaining NPA members to heed the government’s call for them to surrender peacefully and avail of the many benefits such as financial and livelihood assistance, housing, scholarship, and others that await them through the E-CLIP.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/top-npa-honcho-notorious-for-atrocities-in-paquibato-district-yield-2/