Kalinaw News: Former Communist terrorists clue in location of arms cache in Isabela

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 5, 2022): Former Communist terrorists clue in location of arms cache in Isabela



Camp Aquino, Tarlac City – Three former members of the communist terrorist group who surrendered last February 20 tipped-off location of remaining firearms to government troops in Kalinga in the morning of March 4, 2022.

“In a report submitted by the 95th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Carlos Sangdaan Jr, in coordination with their police counterpart, they have successfully facilitated the voluntary surrender of four M16 rifles, two M203 Grenade Launchers, one AK47 with (1) long magazine loaded with sixteen 16 rounds of ammunition, which were located at the vicinity of Diwagao Complex, Brgy Tappa, San Mariano, Isabela,” disclosed Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., Commander of Northern Luzon Command.

Joint Task Group Liberator Commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Benavides furthered that the former terrorists who gave the information were identified as alias “Sartay” who was a Vice Squad leader of the terror group unit, alias “Joey,” and “Deo,” both members of the dwindling terrorist group Komiteng Probinsya (KOMPROB) Isabela, Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley (KRCV) who decided to return to the fold of the law last Feb 20 due to relentless military operations and Community Support Programs conducted by the troops in the area.

Alias Sartay revealed that they are the sons of the late alias Davao, Squad Leader of Section Guerilla Unit (SGU) of the Central Front Committee (CFC) who died in an armed encounter in Diwagao Complex, Barangay Tappa, San Mariano, Isabela last October 29, 2021. “Nung namatay po si alyas Davao na siya pong ama namin, ako ang pumalit sa kanyang posisyon. Nang mga panahon na ‘yon, nagsanib-pwersa ang mga natitira pang miyembro ng Regional Sentro De Grabidad (RSDG) na nabuwag at ang SGU. Pero dahil sa kawalan ng suporta ng RSDG sa aming unit, lumayo kami sa kanila. Kaya noon pa man, doon namin napagtanto na ginagamit lang nila kami para sa kanilang mga kasakiman at makasariling hangarin.”

“Kailanman ay hindi naging maganda ang pagsasama ng mga natitirang miyembro ng RSDG at ng SGU kaya sobrang mababa ang moral ng mga naiiwan pang regular na miyembro ng NPA. Wala silang nakukuha na anumang suporta mula sa kanilang mga kadre at maging sa mga mamamayan. Kaya ito pong pagsurrender namin ng mga baril ay isa po talagang napakalaking kawalan sa panig ng teroristang NPA.”

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, Joint Task Force Tala Commander said that the troops immediately found the location of the firearms with the help of the residents who also guided them during their search.

“We have again saved lives because you entrusted us these arms cache. I thank you for choosing peace over violence. I am again urging the remaining members of the CTGs to return now to the folds of the law. Surrender your firearms and rest assured that you will find peace and progress with the government side,” Maj. Gen. Mina added.

Similarly, Lt. Gen. Torres lauded the troops’ accomplishments and the public’s ardent desire for peace saying that “this accomplishment wouldn’t be possible without the genuine desire for peace of the former terrorists and of the locals who have helped us,” and urged the remnants of the communist terrorist group and their sympathizers to hear the government’s call for peace and reconciliation and return to the folds of the law as productive citizens of our country.”

[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]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-communist-terrorists-clue-in-location-of-arms-cache-in-isabela/