CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – A CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) leader was arrested in a joint AFP-PNP operation in Brgy Poblacion, Bayugan City on Sunday night, November 14, as the intensified focus in dismantling the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in CARAGA begins.
Joint AFP-PNP forces composed of 30th Infantry Battalion under the 901st Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) together with the different Army intelligence units and the Police Regional Office-13 (PRO13), and Bayugan City Police Office have launched the operation to kick off the campaign to neutralize CNT leaders in CARAGA region.
The arrested CNT leader is identified as Gelan Ybanez alias Weng, the Commanding Officer (CO) of Sandatahang Yunit Pamproganda 16B (SYP16B), Guerilla Front 16 (GF16) of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Seized by the AFP and PNP troops from alias Weng’s possession are a Cal.45 ACP pistol and a fragmentation grenade.
Alias Weng was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest (WOA) with Criminal Case No. CR-17-181 to CR-17-183 in violation of Sec. 4 (k) 1 of R.A.9208 as amended by 10364, issued by 10th Judicial Region Branch 34, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte with no recommended bail.
In a statement, Major General Romeo S Brawner Jr, Commander of the 4ID, commended the arrest of the 30IB under Lt Col Charles Callanta and the 901st Brigade under BGen George Banzon, together with the Army and PNP intelligence units that tirelessly tracked down the said CNT.
He added that the 4ID is fully committed to finish off the CTG in the AOR after the series of major accomplishments in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon provinces in Northern Mindanao region which led to the demise of Ka Oris, one of the leaders.
“The arrest of Alias Weng is only the beginning of the AFP-PNP’s pivot, targeting the CNT leaders and dismantling the CTG in CARAGA region. We shall utilize our full might and all available resources to end the CTG’s atrocities and abuses against our people,” MGen Branwer Jr said.
“There is still time for the remaining CTG leaders and members to lay down their arms and avoid being arrested or killed as the Army will be relentless in tracking and hunting them down. They can avail of the government’s reintegration program, the E-CLIP, so that they can return safely to their families and start their lives with better opportunities,” MGen Brawner said.
“Armed struggle is futile and definitely not the solution to our problems. Hence, I urge the CPP-NPA-NDF to stop pestering our communities. This only aggravates the hapless situation of our people who needs peace and development programs more than ever. Give them peace,” MGen Brawner Jr stated.
The arrested CNT leader is now in the custody of RID-PRO13 for proper disposition.
