Cordillera leader’s arrest as decisive blow to dwindling NPAs in Ilocos, Cordillera regions, NTF-ELCAC believes
Art Dumlao — October 23, 2024
Cordillera leader’s arrest as decisive blow to dwindling NPAs in Ilocos, Cordillera regions, NTF-ELCAC believes
BAGUIO CITY (October 23, 2024) -- The National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) believes Monday’s arrest of Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front (CPDF) spokesman Simon Fiaryao Naogsan Sr. alias “Ka Filiw” by government security forces in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, is a decisive blow against the armed communist movement in the northern region.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director and Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., lauding the successful operation against Naogsan Sr., as a "major victory" for the government and the people stressed, "(It)( is a monumental step in our fight to eliminate communist terrorism in Northern Luzon,” attributing it to the “effectiveness of our Whole-of-Nation Approach, which unites the military, police, and community in neutralizing the threat posed by these terrorist groups."
Naogsan Sr., also with the nom de guerre “Ka Wayat”, who allegedly held various key positions including Executive Committee Member of the CPP-NPA Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC), head of Regional Propaganda, and former Secretary of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla (KLG) codenamed “Marco” (for Mountain Province) also under the ICRC, was cornered at #154 Don Marcelo Dacuycuy St., Brgy 01, Sta Rita in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, 5AM Monday.
The rebel leader, a former government engineer at the Commission on Audit before he joined the NPA in 1991 because of his disillusionment on corruption in government, faces multiple charges of murder and attempted murder filed before the Regional Trial Courts (RTC) of Ifugao and Mountain Province. He carries a P2.7million reward for his capture.
USec. Torres praised the tireless efforts of the military and the police, stressing that their success also demonstrates the growing involvement of local communities in the fight against communist terrorism. He hinted that valuable intelligence was provided by residents, which played a key role in Naogsan's capture. The people of Northern Luzon are rejecting the lies and violence of the communist insurgents, thanks in part to the government's enhanced services in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Conflict-Affected Areas (GIDCAs)," he emphasized.
The Whole-of-Nation Approach, which addresses the root causes of insurgency through government services and community engagement, is steadily eroding the NPA’s mass base in Northern Luzon and elsewhere, Torres bared.
He further believed that Naogsan Sr.’s arrest “brings us one step closer to lasting peace and development in the region”.
Torres, on Wednesday, together with DILG chief Jonvic Remulla, USec. Marlo Iringan, ASec. Lilian de Leon, National Security Adviser Eduar Año, National Security Council Assistant Director Genera. Jonathan Malaya, ADG Cornelio Valencia, Office of the Presidential Assistant on Peace Reconciliation and Unity USec. Cesar Yano, Phil. Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tariela and PIA Dir. Gen. Kat de Castro will lead the Baguio-leg of the Bagong Pilipinas National Security Roadshow at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.
