By Jessica M. Bacud
The Armed Forces of the Philippines recalled history when it declared victory against the Communist Terrorist Group following the successful interception of the MV Karagatan arms landing of the CPP-NPA in July 1972 at Digoyo Point, Palanan, Isabela.
To commemorate the successful seizure of the armaments landing, the AFP had Senior Usec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the Department of National Defense, with Isabela 2nd District Rep. Ed Christopher S. Go lead the unveiling of the MV Karagatan 1972 marker at Digoyo Point on May 13.
Other AFP and Philippine National Police officials also participated, including MGEN Audrey Pasia, Commander of the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, BGEN Percivel Rumbaoa, Regional Director of PNP PRO2, Col. Sadiri Tabutol of the Tactical Operations Group 2 Commander and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) RO2.
Isabela’s 2nd District Mayors Angelo Bernardo of Palanan, Edgar Go of San Mariano, and Divilacan’s Venturito Bulan, with Ana Cristina Go of the Isabela Agricultural Cooperative (NMIAC), Tourism RO2 Regional Director Troy Miano, and RD of PIA-2 Angely Lubo-Mercado were present to witness the unveiling of the marker.
The MV Karagatan arrived at Digoyo Point in Palanan, when on July 4, 1972, the group that would receive the weapons at shore was led by Victor Corpus, a military defector who was a member of the NPA at the time.
Corpus was given the responsibility of directing the group that would accept the weapons at shore, as the ship’s crew got into a dinghy and met their NPA contacts by the coast.
The New People’s Army, the military wing of the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), attempted to smuggle weapons into the Philippines using the ship, which was intercepted by the Philippine Military.
President Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law in the country on September 21, 1972 owing in part to the incident.
Following the presentation of confiscated weapons, Sec. Galvez discussed with the troop fresh government initiatives that would be advantageous to the Philippine Army at Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz, Gamu, Isabela.
