NADAKIP sa inilunsad na joint intelligence driven operation ng Northern Luzon Command at Philippine National Police ang sinasabing top Communist New People’s Army leader sa Ilocos Norte noong Lunes.

Ayon kay Lieutenant General Fernyl G. Buca PAF, commander ng NOLCOM, nadakip ng kanyang mga tauhan mula sa 5th Infantry Division, katuwang ang local police, si Simon Fiaryao Naogsan Sr., alyas “FILIW/WAYAT”, sa Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

Si Naogsan, ay key leader ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) sa Ilocos-Cordillera Region, ay may nakabinbing kasong murder at attempted murder na nakasampa sa Regional Trial Court ng Ifugao at Mountain Province.

Pinapurihan naman ni Lt. Gen. Buc ang matagumpay na law enforcement operation ng kanyang mga tauhan. “This arrest brings us closer to achieving peace and security in Northern Luzon. NOLCOM will continue its relentless efforts to decimate the remaining members of Communist terrorist groups and ensure the safety of our communities.”

Ganito rin ang naging pahayag ng National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) dahil isang malaking breakthrough umano ito sa anti-insurgency campaign ng Marcos administration laban sa Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) ayon kay NTF-ELCAC Executive Director and Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr.

“The arrest of Simon Naogsan is a monumental step in our fight to eliminate communist terrorism in Northern Luzon. This success highlights the effectiveness of our Whole-of-Nation Approach, which unites the military, police, and community in neutralizing the threat posed by these terrorist groups,” paliwanag pa ni USEC Torres. (JESSE KABEL RUIZ)