Camp Aquino, Tarlac City— “Eroding mass base support and corrupt practices of the NPA leaders continue to hound the communist terrorist groups in northern and central Luzon have left a lot of its members disgruntled,” said Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, Commander of Northern Luzon Command.
This statement was made following the surrender of another two (2) disgruntled members of the communist terrorist movement in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur, and the apprehension of one (1) NPA member with two (2) NPA supporters in Cauayan, Isabela.
The former rebels, alias Oyet and alias Dadong, were both members of the Milisya ng Bayan under Kilusang Larangang Gerilya South Ilocos Sur (KLG SIS). They yielded one (1) Bushmaster M4 rifle and three (3) magazines with 480 rounds of live ammunition for M4 rifle and 256 rounds of live ammunition for Cal .45 pistol to the members of 7th Infantry Division, as they were presented to the Mayor of Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur, Hon. Joseph S. Valdez.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, Jerry Ramos alias Bobol, an NPA member under KR – CV Central Front, along with Herminio Ramos alias Minio and Virgilio Dela Cruz alias Junior were apprehended by government forces at Barangay Villaflor, Cauayan City, Isabela. Recovered from their positions were two (2) improvised explosive devices, three (3) detonating cords, three (3) rifle grenades, three (3) hand grenades, one (1) Cal .45 pistol, one (1) magazine, and a bag full of subversive documents.
“These series of major tactical losses and debacles are manifestations that the CPP – NPA in northern and central Luzon continues to weaken. These are indicators that the NPA’s terroristic acts are coming to an end, sooner than later”, Lieutenant General Burgos added.
He ended his statement by reiterating his call to the few remaining members of the communist terrorists, “lay down your arms, return to the folds of the law and avail the government’s reintegration program. For we will never rest, and our efforts will never waver until the communist terrorists are totally decimated in this part of the country.”
(AFP-PR)
