Six top ranking NPA commanders in Northern Luzon fall
CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City – Six top ranking NPA commanders in Northern Luzon were apprehended during a joint law enforcement operation Tuesday, November 16 in Bulacan.
Those apprehended were identified as Gil Peralta alias “Elmo”, the Secretary of Komiteng Rehiyon – Cagayan Valley (KR-CV) who was nabbed at Barangay Mariblo, Quezon City; Irene Agcaoili alias “Ayang”, Head Finance of KR-CV; Lourdes Bulan alias “Simang”, EXECOM member of KR-CV; Arcadio Tangonan alias “Tiago”, IO of KR-CV; alias “Bonel”, Intelligence Officer of KR-CV; and alias “Bebang” who were all apprehended at Barangay San Vicente, Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
Recovered in their possession are one M16 rifle, three Cal. 45 pistols, five anti-personnel mines, and three hand grenades.
Three of the apprehended personalities, particularly Peralta, Agcaoili, and Bulan have pending arrest warrants for murder, multiple murder, multiple attempted murder, arson, and robbery.
According to the report, during the implementation of the warrant of arrest Agcaoili tried to shoot the arresting officers while her companion Natividad Santos, also a resident of the said place tried to use a hand grenade, but was subdued by the alert arresting officers.
MGen Laurence E. Mina, Commander of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division who closely supervised the operation, lauded the troops during the operation.
“The recent setback of the communist terrorists at the hands of the government forces is a testament of our steadfast commitment to end the communist terrorists’ reign of terror in Northern Luzon,” said Mina.
Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, Commander of the Northern Luzon Command, noted that they are executing their final push to totally decimate the NPAs in North and Central Luzon.
“We are right on track, and we are taking the extra mile to ensure that we will further hasten the decimation of the communist terrorists in Northern Luzon to comply with the President’s directive to end the communist insurgency by the end of his term,” he said.
On November 13, members of the 50th Infantry Battalion encountered a group of communist terrorists under Kilusang Larangang Gerilya – BAGGAS at Barangay Bagtayan, Pasil, Kalinga which resulted in the death of Julio Dumalyung alias “Poli”, a regular member of the said terrorist group and the recovery of one M16 rifle, two magazine assembly, 25 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, transistor radio, and other personal belongings.
Burgos called out the remaining members of the communist terrorists to return to the folds of the law. (With a report from Freddie C. Velez)