Troops from the 52nd Infantry Battalion (52IB) captured a top red leader in Eastern Visayas during an operation in Northern Samar.
The arrested leader, identified as “Ahon,” is the Vice Squad Leader of the Regional Guerrilla Unit (RGU) under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
The operation was initiated after a concerned citizen reported sightings of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) armed with firearms conducting extortion activities in the community, following an earlier encounter on November 12.
In a separate operation, the 20th Infantry Battalion (20IB) encountered approximately 10 CTG members while conducting focused military operations in Barangay C.M. Recto, Catubig, Northern Samar.
The clash resulted in the seizure of three high-powered firearms, assorted ammunition, medical paraphernalia, and personal belongings.
Lt. Col. Richard P. Villaflor commended the troops for their dedication and swift action that forced the CTGs to retreat.
“This incident reaffirms our resolve to dismantle threats to peace and urges remaining CTG members to lay down their arms and embrace the government’s reintegration programs. Together, let us build a peaceful and progressive Northern Samar,” Lt. Col. Villaflor stated.
Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, praised the troops for their successful operations, emphasizing the crucial role of civilian cooperation in addressing insurgency in the region.
“The information given by the people in maintaining peace and order plays a vital role in the success of every military operation. We will remain steadfast in our mandate to put an end to the atrocities and criminal acts of these groups. Rest assured, we will pursue them until their total defeat,” Maj. Gen. Orio emphasized.
He also encouraged remaining members of the CTG to avail themselves of the amnesty program to end conflicts and have a second chance to live peacefully while pursuing productive endeavors.
The Philippine Government has an existing amnesty program for current members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) under the National Amnesty Commission (NAC), established by Executive Order No. 125 series of 2021 and amended by EO 47 of 2023.
Amnesty can extinguish criminal liability for acts committed by the grantee; however, they may still be liable for civil damages caused to private individuals.
