ISABELA --Three former members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) who surrendered last month tipped-off government troops on the location of the remaining firearms of the CTG which led to their discovery and confiscation in Isabela.
Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) said Monday, March 7, that based on a report submitted by the 95th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Carlos Sangdaan Jr. and in coordination with their police counterpart, the troops recovered four M16 rifles, two M203 Grenade Launchers, one AK47 with long magazine loaded with sixteen 16 rounds of ammunition, from the CTG's arms storage facility located in the vicinity of Diwagao Complex, Brgy Tappa, San Mariano, Isabela,.
Joint Task Group Liberator Commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Benavides said 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 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 Oct. 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.”( “When alias Davao, our father, died, I took over his position. At that time, the remaining members of the disbanded Regional Center of Gravity (RSDG) and the SGU joined forces. But due to the lack of RSDG support to our unit, we stayed away from them. So then, we realized that they were only using us.)
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 with this arms cache. I thank you for choosing peace over violence. I am again urging the remaining members of the CTG 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,” Mina added.