GOVERNMENT troops arrested a New People’s Army finance officer and two other communist rebels in Matalam town in North Cotabato on Tuesday, military officials reported on Wednesday.
The Zamboanga City-based AFP Western Mindanao Command identified them as Cirilo Amit, alias Allen and Wilson, the finance officer of the NPA operating in the province; Alex Zurita Sr., alias Dodo; and Roberto Limbaga Aspura.
Wesmincom spokesman Maj. Arvin Encinas said the suspects were apprehended by troops from the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion and Matalam PNP in Purok Kamon in Barangay New Alemodian.
Seized from them were a Norinco MP27 cal. 45 pistol with two magazines and 17 rounds of ammunition, a homemade revolver with 24 rounds, 5.56 mm ammunition, and two improvised explosives devices.
Also recovered were six cellular phones, a media pad, one hard drive, a power bank, a USB, one card reader, 12 SIM cards, two cellphone chargers, an AM/FM radio, P10,435 in cash, documents, identification cards, medicines and personal belongings.
“The operation was conducted in response to the information that said personalities were seen in the area,” said Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade.
The three were brought to the headquarters of the 90th IB in North Cotabato “for custodial debriefing.”
Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, 6th Infantry Division commander, said the operation was part of the intensified operations of the military and police to end lawless elements in Central Mindanao.
The military is aiming to end the NPA on or before the end of the term of President Duterte in June 2022. The military has placed the NPA strength at about 3,000 to 3,500 men throughout the country.
“The Armed Forces continuously intensify combat and intelligence operations to thwart the nefarious activities of terrorists that avert economic development,” said Wesmincom chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana.
