GOVERNMENT troops captured three New People’s Army (NPA) leaders during a military operation in Conner town in Apayao last Tuesday, the military reported yesterday.
The three were led by alias Sam, commanding officer of the NPA’s Regional Sentro de Grabidad under the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee.
The two others were alias Tanya and alias Annie, a political instructor and organizer, respectively, of the weakened Kilusang Larangang Gerilya-Baggas.
Before their capture, the military received information about the presence of a group of rebels in Barangay Manag, the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) said in a statement.
“Acting swiftly on this information, government forces launched a focused military operation,” the 5th ID said.
The operation led to the capture of the “key members” of the NPA units in northern Luzon.
Seized from the possession of the three were two M16A1 rifles with ammunition, hand grenades, explosives, and personal belongings.
“The capture of these high-ranking NPA leaders is a significant step toward dismantling the remaining guerilla fronts in Northern Luzon,” said 5th ID commander Maj. Gen. Gulliver Señires.
“It demonstrates that the people are increasingly rejecting the NPA’s violent ideology and supporting the government’s efforts to achieve lasting peace and development in the region,” added Señires.
The 5th ID said the successful operation “highlights the increasing cooperation of local communities with government forces, further weakening the insurgency’s influence.”
“The public’s growing trust in the Armed Forces and the PNP is evidenced by the vital intelligence shared by civilians, leading to the successful capture of these notorious figures,” it added.