Top ranking CPP personality nabbed by the Army’s 34IB

By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
February 16, 2011

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar  –  With the serious and continuous implementation of the government’s Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan”, top personality of the Communist Party of the Philippines’s Central Committee fell into the hands of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division in the vicinity of Brgy Bay-ang, San Jorge town in the province of Samar around 10:00 a.m. of February 13, Sunday.

Initial reports that had reached to this headquarters disclosed that a platoon from 34th Infantry Battalion under Second Lieutenant Jacob Madarang was conducting their routine security patrol when they intercepted a certain Ericson Acosta who was about to board a pump boat towards the municipal proper after acting suspiciously.

Lieutenant Madarang said that he (Acosta) gave conflicting and confusing answers to simple and routine questions and later appeared nervous until attempted to draw hand grenade from his pocket.

One soldier immediately grabbed Acosta’s arm and grasped the explosive to preempt more serious occurrence that might follow.

Acosta who is 37 years old was later identified by an informant (identity was personally requested to be withheld for security reasons) and further revealed to be from Cubao, Quezon City and working under the Instruction Bureau of the National Education Department of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s Central Committee.

The informant further revealed that Acosta also masquerades as August Lim in the underground movement.  He also said that he (Acosta) was sent by the CPP to facilitate the production of various propaganda materials such as “Ang Bayan” newsletter intended to shoot propaganda to the people.  Troops also recovered from Acosta one (1) laptop notebook with complete accessories and spare battery, an external hard drive, Globe tattoo (USB globe broadband), one (1) unit Nokia 3530, 6 pcs SIM cards, a cash amounting to Four Thousand Eight Hundred pesos (P4, 800) only and his personal belongings.

Meanwhile, Major General Mario Chan, 8ID’s commander assured the public that the rights of Acosta were respected during and after his apprehension.

“Acosta was treated very well by the apprehending troops.  As we’ve done so in the past, we assure our people that we will always be observant of human rights. Acosta will be accorded his right to counsel and be given his day in court,” the good general adds.

As of 10:00 a.m. this morning, criminal charges have already been filed against Acosta at RTC Branch 41 – Gandara under criminal case # 11-0501 and he is now in the custody of Gandara Municipal Police Office.

With the capture of alias August Lim, the legal front of the CPP and its allied organizations are expected to stage propaganda activities in order to deny the affiliation of Acosta in their mother organization.