By Francis Wakefield
Joint elements of the Army's 2nd Infantry Battalion and the Milagros Municipal Police Station arrested four members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Masbate on Tuesday morning, March 12.
Government troops were conducting checkpoint operation when they noticed a suspicious person onboard a passenger van enroute to Mandaon town in Sitio Baclay, Milagros, Masbate.
An investigation was immediately carried out and the authorities were able to confiscate one cal. 38 revolver, cellphone, hammock and medical kit from the possession of Joel C. Tanuan alias Mark, single, a member of KLG North, KOMPROB Masbate and a resident of Barangay Cabitan, Mandaon.
During the custodial debriefing, Tanuan revealed his involvement in the recent encounter in Sitio Balat, Barangay Gangao, Baleno, Masbate to include the whereabouts of his other cohorts.
With the information gathered from Tanuan, the soldiers and police immediately launched follow up operation which resulted to the successful apprehension of the following CPP-NPA-Terrorist members identified as Michael C. Olahay, 42 , married, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Mobo; Ruel O. Tumambac, 20, single, a resident of Barangay Tigbao, Milagros and Reynante N. Sanggo, 22, single and also a resident of Barangay Tigbao.
The arresting team confiscated from the possession of the apprehended terrorists the following items: three cal. 45 pistols, three cellphones, ammunitions, hammock, a pair of combat boots, military athletic uniform and lousy hat, and cash amounting to P928 pesos.
Maj. Gen. Fernando T. Trinidad, Commander of 9th Infantry (Spear) Division and Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia, lauded the efforts of the soldiers and police forces who are relentless in the conduct of security operation.
He also said that the prompt response of the government troops only manifested the troops’ commitment to the government's peace effort in Bicol region.
Trinidad gave assurance that security operations will continue to be relentless so that more terrorists will fall on the hands of the law.