Army uncovers CNT hideout in AgNor town
By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Oct. 23 -- The troopers of 23rd
Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion (23IB) discovered another hideout of the CPP-NPA
Terrorist (CNT) in the forested area of Sitio Fatima, Barangay Ibuan, Las
Nieves, Agusan del Norte on October 17, 2020, at around 4:00 p.m.
While the troops were conducting security operations, they discovered an
abandoned CNT hideout which has an estimated land area of two hundred square
meters (200m) that can accommodate more or less 20 persons and believed to be
abandoned for about a month ago prior to discovery.
The government troops also seized in said abandoned hideout 20 rolls of
Blasting Cap Leg Wire; one D-Size Battery (Eveready); and one small Plastic
Box.
Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Acting Commanding Officer of
23IB, expressed his gladness on the continuous recovery of CNT hideouts stating
that they will be having a hard time to adjust in their present situation.
“As we can see, these CNTs have been leaving their hideouts and they
cannot settle in a stable place because surely, the troops will always locate
them wherever they hide. I don’t know how deep the CNT propagandas have rooted
in the soul of the NPAs why they still choose to suffer living in the
mountains. I cannot imagine why they choose to live in those temporary-built
hideouts which cannot even protect them nor provide convenience to their daily
living, where in fact, they can go back to their respective homes and live a
peaceful life with their families,” Paulo said.
He also called on the people of Barangay Ibuan, be vigilant on the
activities of the CNTs whom he described as traitors for their continued
disrespect of human rights.
“These CNT members are killers as they always have that intention to
kill, not only the government forces but also the innocent civilians,
especially the Indigenous Peoples (IPs),” Paulo said.
He emphasized that the recovered blasting caps, leg wires and other war
parapernalias are proofs of CNTs continued production and use of the banned
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which brings great threat not only to the
government forces but also to the innocent civilians.
“We encourage everyone to stop supporting their group whenever they will
go back to the said hideout. Report it immediately to us in order to prevent
them from conducting atrocities in your peaceful community. Let us help one
another to end this insurgency that affects the lives of most Filipinos,” Paulo
said. (CMO Officer, 23IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Army, PNP intercept explosives, food supplies in SurSur town
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 23 (PIA) -- Local authorities have
intercepted a green Fuso canter truck (Plate No. RFT 250) carrying explosives,
and groceries and food supplies believed to be headed for the Communist
Terrorist Group (CTG) camp recently in the province.
According to the report from the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB), around
1:45pm, Oct. 14, the 36IB troopers and the Provincial Mobile Force Company
(PMFP) at a checkpoint along the National Highway of Brgy. Zone 3, Lanuza
flagged down a cargo truck loaded with various items.
Prior to the incident, the 36IB troopers had coordinated with the
Municipal Police Station of Lanuza for they were tipped about the transport of
the goods by civilian informants. After more than an hour, the team successfully
intercepted the cargo truck.
The arrested suspects were identified as Marcelo Ramos Omos, driver;
Ramil Pan Berezo, mason/carpenter; Marlon Febra Cervantes, laborer; Joey
Mercansel Silagan, carpenter; Brian Balatero Paglinawan, laborer. They were brought
to the Lanuza Municipal Police Station (MPS) for investigation.
The authorities seized the following items: two improvised bombs; one
Bagong Hukbong Bayan flag; 20 pairs of black rubber boots; three sacks of rice;
one sack of flour; one half (½) sack of salt; 20 packs “Odong”; 30 Bioderm bath
soaps; one box mega sardines; 20 pairs of black socks; nine packs sanitary
napkin; six pieces of men’s underwear; 20 kilos brown sugar; Five bags of Super
Lamig Menthol Candy; 10 bags of Nescafe stick; Four bags Nescafe 3n1; two
gallons cooking oil; one-gallon soy sauce; Five empty plastic containers; and
six cellophane sacks.
According to 36IB commander Lt. Col. Jezreel Diagmel, they have already
closely monitored the companies or business firms/contractors, politicians, and
other supporters from the different sectors based on the profile they have on
the record.
Lt. Col. Diagmel added that the relentless conduct of checkpoints of the
PNP and AFP and other stakeholders has paid off in stopping the flow of
supplies towards the NPA terrorists.
"This resource control operation will continue in order to put a
stop to this scheme of the armed group targeting particularly the contractors,
politicians, business firms, and individuals," he said.
"We urged them to stop supporting the armed struggle instead, support our government. We will institute security measures together with the PNP to safeguard the flagship projects in our area of operations," Lt. Col. Diagmel added. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
