The military has awarded P27.6-million cash rewards to 10 informants whose assistance led to the neutralization of 10 terrorists, including a US most-wanted operative.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez personally handed over the cash rewards to the 10 individuals whose identities were concealed for security reasons during simple rites at the Office of the Joint Staff for Intelligence (OJ2) Multi-purpose hall inside the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces.
Col. Noel Detoyato, Public Affairs Office chief, said the vital information shared by the 10 tipsters led to the killing and arrest of eight ASG members and cohorts, and two communist terrorist leaders in AFP-initiated operations backed by the Philippine National Police.
Among those neutralized was Ahmad Akmad Batabol, also known as “Basit Usman” a prominent terrorist and an expert on bomb-making with a P6.3-million bounty on his head.
Basit Usman is considered a globally notorious terrorist and one of the associates of Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was included in the US most wanted terrorist list.
Marwan was killed in the Mamasapano, Maguindanao bloody fighting with elite Special Action Force which also resulted in the death of 44 police commandos.
Also neutralized through the information provided by the tipsters were ASG members Muhiden Abdusalam Uyong, alias “Waning Abdusalam; Kirir Hamid Sahiron; and Mustapha Guindalangan alias “Tha.”
Detoyato identified the ASG cohorts as Basit Balahim, alias “Ballan” and Regin Onsing Nazirin alias “Sahurun,” both with P1 million bounty; and Abdullah Mutalib and Aldimar Sangkula, alias “Kompol-Kompol with a P600.000 bounty each.
The communist terrorist leaders arrested were identified as Eduardo Genelsa alias ‘Lando’ with a P5-million bounty and Ricardo Ampan Manili alias Joker with P4.9-million reward.
The cash reward system that started in 2001 is aimed at encouraging citizens to boost the AFP and other law enforcement agencies’ counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts.
The system is also part of the military’s campaign towards a whole-of-nation approach in attaining the shared goal of a just and lasting peace and development for the country, Detoyato said.
Meanwhile, at least ten policemen, including a middle-rank officer assigned at the San Rafael police station, were ordered relieved by Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde after they were accused of conspiring in the robbery and kidnapping of a suspect they “arrested” last May 19.
Following the relief of the 10 policemen, the Counter Intelligence Task Force filed cases of kidnapping and robbery in band against the suspects before the Department of Justice.
Sr. Supt Romeo Caramat Jr., Commander of the CITF identified the lawmen as Sr. Insp. Wilfredo Dizon Jr.; SP04 Gary Santos; SP02 Christopher Aragon; SP01 Dante Castillo; SPO1 Jphey Cucal; SP01 Rolando Iganacio Jr.; P03 Dennis De Vera; P02 Rosauro Enrile; P02 Nicanor Bautista; and P02 Chester Say-eo.
The chief of San Rafael Police Station–Supt Rizalino Andaya, was not spared from the order of Albayalde as he was also relieved from his post following the involvement of his men in the alleged extortion activity.
CITF Chief Supt Jose Chiquito Malayo said Andaya is currently under the administrative custody of the CITF in Camp Crame.
In a related CITF operation, two police officers were also sacked after they were caught sleeping on duty and for not wearing the proper PNP uniform in Tarlac province.
Malayo said the unwavering effort of the PNP is part of the uncompromising PNP internal reform program under the watch of Albayalde.
Albayalde said they would also file administrative cases against the 10 policemen who may be transferred to other provincial assignments.
“We are dead serious in our internal cleansing. We will show no mercy and zero tolerance for those who are engaged in illegal activities,” Albayalde said.
He also assured the public that he will dismiss erring policemen if found guilty of the offense.
“If they will be found guilty of the offense meted against them, we will not hesitate to dismiss these people from the PNP,” he said.
During his stint at the NCRPO, Albayalde ordered the dismissal of more than 200 rogue policemen while a thousand more are awaiting verdict from the administrative cases filed against them.
