Two alleged NPA officials arrested in Lanao del Norte

December 2, 2019

Government troops apprehended two alleged ranking officials of New People's Army in a law enforcement operation in Lanao del Norte on Sunday.

Major. Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said arrested were Christopher Cañete and Virjon Virtudazo.

"Cañete is the first deputy of Platoon Guerilla, Regional Operation Command, (North Central Mindanao Regional Committee) NCMRC and head of the Intel Staff, while  Virtudazo is the Political Instructor of Platoon Bingo, Moro Company,  SRC 5 NCMRC," he said.

Encinas said the two were captured during a police-military operation in Barangay Dableston, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.

He said government troops recovered "one caliber .45 pistol, one caliber .38 revolver, one improvised explosive device , two  rifle grenades, one blasting cap, and one detonating fuse" from the possession of the armed men.

Encinas said more war materials were recovered after the rebels disclosed the location of an arms cache in Barangay Sto Niño, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte during the custodial debriefing.

"At about 11:30 am (of the same day), government forces reached the reported location and recovered seven M-16 rifles, one AR-18 rifle, one M-203 grenade launcher, one cal 38 revolver, 286 M-16 magazines, more than 2,000 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, eight rounds of M-203 ammo, and 29 sets of bandoliers," he said.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the "deliberate operations with law enforcement agencies are being sustained by our Joint Task Forces to run down and dismantle  communist terrorists."

"We attribute this major accomplishment to the support of the civilian community on our continuing security operations and various peace efforts,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS