SIATON, Negros Oriental – Four CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) with high-powered firearms were apprehended by the Army’s 11th Infantry (Lapu-Lapu) Battalion and Philippine National Police in Sitio, Tamlang, Barangay Talalak, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental on August 18, 2021.
This, after the troops conducted a strike operation in response to information given by the local populace on the presence of armed CNTs in the area.
Lieutenant Colonel Roderick Salayo, Acting Commanding Officer, 11IB, identified the apprehended communist-terrorists as Roel Casilao alias Garry, Commanding Officer; Allan Ybañez alias Ban, member; Joselie Lasas alias Tete, member; and Jestoni Lasas alias Tata, member, all of Lokal Guerilla Unit (LGU), South Eastern Front (SEF).
Confiscated from the possession of the abovementioned CNTs are two (2) M14 rifles, one (1) M16 rifle, one (1) shotgun, three (3) magazines of M14, assorted ammunitions of M16 and shotgun, two (2) handcuffs, six (6) disposable syringes, assorted flash drives, map of Negros Oriental, assorted medicines, and subversive documents.
The two Lasas have an existing warrant of arrest for a murder case with criminal case no. 2954.
“The apprehension of these CPP-NPA Terrorists will not be the last. There will be more surrenders and apprehensions in the coming days as we intensify our combat operations against the CNTs in our area. We will be relentless in pursuing the communist-terrorists not only to capture but also to force them to surrender,” LTC Salayo said.
For his part, Brigadier General Leonardo Peña, Commander, 302nd Infantry Brigade, lauded the 11IB for apprehending the said CNTs and preventing them from casting more terror. He also attributed the successful operation to the vigilance and cooperation of the civilian populace by giving accurate information to the troops.
“A CPP-NPA Terrorists-free Negros is achievable with you (Negrenses) on our side. Let us continue our effective collaborative efforts to allow peace and progress to prosper in this island,” BGen. Peña added.
