CAMP EVANGELISTA, Patag, Cagayan De Oro City – Two (2) Top Ranking Communist Party of the Philippines – New Peoples Army Terrorist (CNT) Leaders of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) in Caraga were arrested in a joint AFP-PNP law enforcement operations in Quezon City at early dawn today.
The arrested CNT Leaders of the Regional White Area Committee (RWAC) of the NEMRC were identified as JULIETA GOMEZ y Tawide alias Tina, Secretary of Regional Urban Committee, NEMRC; Deputy Secretary RWAC NEMRC; Member of Reg’l Tax Implementing Group; KASALO Chairman; member RTIG NEMRC; 39, y/o, Filipino, female, single, jobless and a resident of Purok 2, Mahayahay, San Luis, Agusan del Sur; and NIEZEL VELASCO y Duaso alias Mary Jane Velasco, Regional Liaison of NEMRC; 39 y/o, Filipino, female, single, jobless and a resident of Purok Tulay, Brgy. San Agustin Sur, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Joint operatives of the PNP and AFP units served the WOAs in Kaingin 1, Brgy Pasol, Quezon City, Metro Manila against the above-named suspects for the crime of MURDER and two (2) ATTEMPTED MURDERS under Criminal Case Nos. 8113-20, 20-3747 and CR-2021-84 issued by HON. EDWIN M. MALAZARTE, Judge, RTC, 11th Judicial Region, Br 27, Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur, HON. LILIBETH O. LADAGA, Presiding Judge, RTC, 11th Judicial Region, Br 28, Lianga, Surigao Del Sur and HON. FERNANDO R. TUDALAN, JR., Presiding Judge, RTC, 10th Judicial Region, Br 34, Cabadbaran City, Agusan Del Norte with NO BAIL, PHP100,000.00 and PHP120,000.00 bail RECOMMENDED, respectively.
Confiscated incidental to their arrest and witnessed by Barangay Chairman, Joseph P. Mahusay and Barangay Tanod Zane M. Cezar of Brgy. Pansol of Quezon City are the following:
4 – M4 5.56 Rifles
1 – 9MM Parabellum pistol with SN OSL123156
1 pc 9MM magazine with 14 pcs live ammo
10 pcs rifle barrels
8 pcs subversive documents (books and booklet)
1 pc New People’s Army (NPA) flag
1000 pcs live ammo of caliber 7.62
1 pc travelling bag color black
1 pc hand grenade smoke riot
1 pc M26 hand grenade (practice)
1 pc hand grenade PRB 423
1 unit cellphone Vivo 11 color black
1 unit cellphone Huawei color blue
In his statement, MGEN ROMEO S BRAWNER JR, Commander of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, said that the fall of the said Top Ranking CNT Leaders was a result of the convergence of efforts of the AFP and PNP and other law enforcement agencies.
“AFP-PNP troops tirelessly tracked down these CPP-NPA Leaders. With the help of information from civilian residents, we were able to neutralize and finally bring them to justice to face their crimes for pestering communities and sabotaging the peace and development that the Caraganons were longing for”, MGen Brawner Jr said.
Brawner Jr also underscored the abuse and inequality among the CPP-NPA rank and file as the leaders were comfortably hiding in a cozy place while their ordinary members has been experiencing hunger and some were already captured and died after being always on the run due to 4ID’s relentless security operations in the AOR.
“I enjoin everyone to condemn the barbaric killings perpetrated by the CNTs and for instilling fear towards our people. While we offer better opportunities for those who will voluntary return to live in peace, we shall run after the murderers who has no regard on the lives and welfare of our people”, MGen Brawner Jr stressed.
Arrested persons were apprised of their constitutional rights and the nature of their offense and was brought to RFU NCR for documentation and proper disposition.
