CAMP GENERAL MATEO CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested and several high-powered firearms seized during a raid by joint elements of the military and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in a farm in Teresa, Rizal on Tuesday.
Reports reaching the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) camp here said authorities conducted their search warrant operation at around 7 a.m. at the Coral Farm in Sitio Dalig, a suspected safehouse of high-ranking NPA leaders in Southern Tagalog region.
Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over the area, said government troops and agents served the arrest warrants against Armando Lazarte alias “Pat/Romano” and Tirso Alcantara alias “Bart” following months of intelligence operations.
“The presence of top NPA leaders and the proximity of Teresa town to Manila are indicators that the threat of ‘Red October’ cannot be downplayed and that the plotters are just awaiting an opportunity to execute their plans,” Burgos said.
“We will remain proactive in addressing any form of threats within our jurisdiction since our primary mandate is to be the vanguards of the national government’s southern frontier,” he added.
Seized were four M653 (baby armalite) rifles; one M203 Grenade Launcher; five US made 12-gauge shotguns; one caliber .45 pistol; one caliber .38 revolver; one 9-mm KG3 machine pistol; six two-way radios; two grenades; eight cellular phones; enemy documents and numerous war materials as well as weapon system accessories.
Lt. Col. Melencio Ragudo, commander of the 80th Infantry Battalion, added that the owner of the six-hectare farm, Ki Be E alias “Lily Ong”, was among the eight persons arrested.
One of the suspects arrested revealed to authorities that two of the M653s belong to Alcantara while the two other weapons including the grenades were owned by Lazarte.
Major Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, commander of the Army’s 2ID, lauded the troops and agents for the successful operation.
“We will remain steadfast in accomplishing our mission of preserving the Filipino people’s peaceful and democratic way of life by ensuring order across our area of responsibility,” Parayno said.
He said the government’s action should serve as warning to the few remaining NPAs in Southern Tagalog.
“Lay down your arms because you will never succeed, we will catch you,” he said.
Over the weekend, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana bared that the “Red October” plot to oust President Rodrigo R. Duterte is the handiwork of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. (/PNA)
