Military, police arrest NPA members in Nueva Ecija

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija-Army and Police forces arrested Saturday evening two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a joint operation in Carranglan town.

Elements of the 3^rd Infantry Battalion (3IB), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and Provincial Police Public Safety Company (PPSC) acted on reliable information about the presence of NPA remnants leader Ely Taray or commonly called “Ka Omeng” at Sitio Pinmaco in Barangay TL Padilla.

Taray has standing warrants for attempted murder issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 38 in San Jose City dated July 14, 2006 and for murder at RTC Branch 39 also in San Jose City dated July 11, 2008.

While being served with the warrant, “Ka Omeng” was able to evade the joint Army and Police team but the security forces were able to arrest two persons who were later found out to be members of platoon Nueva Ecija-Nueva Vizcaya-Eastern Pangasinan of the NPA as political guides namely Gerald Hernandez Salonga alias “Matt” and Guiller Martin Cadano alias “Christian.”

Also confiscated in their possession were one 9mm Smith & Wesson with defaced serial number, one magazine, and 23 ammunitions; one 9mm with serial number U390575, one magazine, and 14 ammunitions; two hand grenades; and subversive documents. The subjects were appraised with their Miranda Rights by the arresting PNP officers.

Salonga and Cadano were bought to the PPSC Headquarters in Cabanatuan City and were charged with violation of Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by Republic Act 8294 otherwise known as illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

In a statement, 703^rd Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Felimon Santos Jr. commended the officers and men of 3IB for the quick action and professionally handling the situation.

“The successful arrest of the two NPA members was the product of the information provided by the residents in the area who no longer believe in their cause and exhausted with their illegal activities,” he said.

Santos also called on the other NPA remnants in the area to surrender and join the mainstream of society and avail the programs of government to be once again productive and peaceful citizens of the country. (703^RD BDE)