BACOLOD City – Three suspected leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in northern Negros Occidental who were arrested in Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava town in this province have been identified.
In a report on Aug. 1, the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) said the suspects, considered as ranking officials of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS), have been placed in the custody of the Calatrava municipal police.
They were Christell Abordo alias Dulay/Matt, staff of Regional Communication/Intelligence and former medical staff of the Regional Strike Force; Mary Dem Forones alias Nancy/Mia/Ayon, Regional Intelligence secretary and member of the KR-NCBS Executive Committee; and Rossine Enyong alias Lemay/Digna/Angel/Mary Joy of the CN1’s SYP Platoon.
Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, commanding officer of 79IB, commended the government troops for the successful joint operation made possible by the cooperation of the village residents.
“It is a clear manifestation that the people of Calatrava are tired of being pestered by the presence of the CPP-NPA terrorists who extort money and recruit innocent citizens in their area,” he said.
The operation was conducted at about 5 p.m. on July 30 by Alvaran’s men, together with personnel of the 6th Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force and the Calatrava police.
It was a response to the complaints of the locals on the communist-terrorists’ extortion activities and efforts to establish a harbor in some houses in the village.
Troops seized from the suspects an M14 rifle, three .38 revolvers, four rifle grenades, eight mobile phones, medical supplies, and subversive documents.
Abordo, Forones, and Enyong are facing charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA 9516 on the illegal possession of explosives.
“As the joint Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police operations continue to pursue communist-terrorists, I once again urge the victims of their deceptive recruitment in northern Negros to return to the fold of the law. Avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and live a normal life in the mainstream society with your families and loved ones,” Alvaran said.
The arrest of the three came three weeks after their four comrades from the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros were arrested in Sitio Mamposo, Barangay Magballo, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, also in a joint military and police operation. (With a report from PNA/PN)
