CNTs will remember their 50th Anniversary as “Golden Debacle”

By DPAO, 8ID PA
April 1, 2019

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) in Eastern Visayas celebrated their 50th Anniversary with back to back debacles: a failed attack and the surrender of one of their top rank leader.

On 28 March 2019, a day before their 50th Anniversary, a failed attack was launched by the CNTs against the Municipal Police Station (MPS) of Victoria, Northern Samar.

Thru close coordination between the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines and with the information from the community, the fifteen (15) police personnel were able to defend their station and repelled the attack of more or less eighty (80) CNTs. The Victoria Police Station personnel were reinforced by the elements of 543rd Engineering Construction Battalion and 43rd Infantry Battalion.

This deceitful attack resulted to three (3) CNTs killed, three (3) CNTs arrested, four (4) High Powered Firearms (1 M60 machine gun, 1 M14 rifle, 2 M16 rifles) and several ammunition recovered. In the desperation of these terrorists, a passing motorists on board a black Toyota Vios were also fired upon at the road blockade the CNTs had set-up, wounding four (4) innocent civilians who are senior citizens.

On the eve of 29 March 2019, which is supposedly the CNT’s Golden Anniversary, one (1) of their top rank leaders, Mr. Liberado Tarong Bungato alias Rolando Tarong/Tiyong/Biyong, Executive Committee member, and Commanding Officer of an NPA Platoon voluntarily surrendered and handed-over his Caliber .45 pistol with ammunition to Brig. Gen. Lope C. Dagoy, Commander, 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, 8th Infantry Division. The CNT leader revelations led to the recovery of four (4) M16 rifles, one (1) Caliber .45 pistol, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), assorted magazines, ammunition and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

In his statement, Maj. Gen. Raul M. Farnacio, Commander, Joint Task Force “STORM” said that “we, the men and women in uniform, strongly condemn the attack on the innocent civilians perpetrated by these Godless CNTs. This action proves that the CNTs are not pro-people since they are not concern for the well-being of the civilians who are non-combatants and it is a clear manifestation that CNTs do not abide to the Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and the Rule of Law.”

“Nasaan na ang mga kababayan at mga kabataang masisipag sumigaw sa kalye at maghain ng reklamo sa Human Rights kapag nadadamay ang ating mahal na mga inosenteng kababayan? Nasaan na sila, bakit ang tahimik nila? I challenge them to take-up their megaphones and microphones and shout out loud on the streets against these crystal clear Human Rights violations of the CNTs… Kung wala silang pinapanigan o kung talagang pro-people sila! To the CNTs, your armed struggle had brought enough suffering, death and misery sa ating bayan at sa ating mga kababayan, sa inyo at sa inyong mahal na pamilya. If you continue taking up arms against our government, dalawa lang pagpipilian ninyo, kulungan lang o sementeryo! Sa mga kapatid naman nating rebelled na tulad ni Kumander Biyong na pagod na sa armadong pakikibaka at gusto ng magbalik loob sa gobyerno at nasasabik ng makapiling ang kanyang mahal na pamilya, ang pintuan ng kapayapaan ay laging bukas para sa inyo. May nakalaan na Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) mula sa gobyerno para sa inyo,” Farnacio added.

Gen. Farnacio was also thankful to the local populace for the timely and accurate information in helping the government forces fight the CNTs. Likewise, the Commander, JTF “STORM” lauded the brave personnel of Victoria MPS for successfully defending their station with 543rd Engineering Construction Battalion, 43rd Infantry (We search) Battalion and other reinforcing PNP units same praises goes to the 802nd Brigade, specially to the troops who gave their best efforts that resulted to the surrender of Mr Liberado Tarong Bungato.