Army captured 2 NPA amazons in Leyte

By 2Lt. MALINCHE Y. TOMARONG (INF) PA
May 3, 2006

KANANGA, Leyte  –  As the campaign against terrorism in Norther Leyte spearheaded by 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion continues, more and more Communist Terrorist (CT) are falling one by one as more people are responding to the call of the unit to cooperate in “spilling the beans” on the CT’s activities and whereabouts. This time another two (2) CT amazons were captured by elements of this unit in Barangay Basud, San Isidro, Leyte, who were conducting recruitment and mobilization for the May 1 labor day rally in Ormoc City.

The duo were reported conducting small group discussion among the farmers teaching them about communism as espoused by known communist leaders Marx, Lenin and Mao Zedong. Upon receipt of this report LtC. Dagoy, CO 19IB immediately sent one (1) platoon from Charlie Company led by 2Lt Dabajo to verify the report. At about 4:30 in the afternoon of April 28, 2006 Lt Dabajo and his men arrived at Brgy. Basud and subsequently apprehended two (2) female CT’s identified as Thelma Pondulanan y Geno alias Leah/Mayang, former party wife of Deolito Dela Cruz alias Maning also a CT leader from Barangay Amguhan, Baybay, Leyte. She is a member of NLF, EVRPC who is now operating aboveground as a member of KARAPATAN, LEYTE, a known leftist HR advocate group.

The other CT is identified as Clarita Cinteno y Horca alias Maen who also operates aboveground as a member of the leftist party-list GABRIELA. They were captured while at the house of Benito Monticina, Chairman SAMACA NWL/council and member of ALMARYU-Leyte. Confiscated from the possession of Thelma Pondulanan and Clarita Centino is a .22 cal revolver loaded with six (6) live ammunitions and the following subversive documents: three (3) booklets entitled “Bagong Hukbong Bayan BHB’, Three Booklets of “National Democratic fronts NDF”, three booklets entitled “Organo Han Demokratiko nga Poder Pampulitika“ Ten (10) pcs of propaganda leaflets Ang Bayan entitled “Pahayagan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas” publication Jan 31, 2006 issues; seven (7) pcs propaganda leaflets Ang Bayan entitled “Pahayagan ng Partido Kumunista ng Pilipinas” 2005 issues, and two (2) pcs sign pen.

Alias Mayang was reported to be part of the CT group that raided and robbed the house of Mr. George Asnar in Barangay Catmon, Tabango, Leyte sometime in December 14 year 2005.

The two (2) CT’s are now in the custody of this unit as appropriate charges are being prepared to be filed against them in court in line with the unit’s legal offensives against the CT’s.

In a separate event, at 4:30 in the afternoon of April 27, 2006, Commando Troopers lead by 2Lt. Marvin Caspillo, discovered two camps of Communist Terrorist CPP/NPA in two different locations in the vicinity of Brgy. Boroc, Ormoc City. The first camp with ten (10) meters wide and twenty (20) meters long was located at Sitio CanJose and the other camp with twenty (20) meters wide and fifty (50) meters long was located at a densely vegetated area also in the same barangay. These two camps were believed to be used by communist terrorists as their rehearsal/dry - run site prior to the Albuera siege last 25 January this year.

These two camps were hastily abandoned by the communist terrorists after they perceived they no longer enjoy much of the support of the local populace. The Villagers said “They cannot take the abuses of the CPP/NPA terrorist anymore. “SOBRA NA SILA, AMO NGA PAGKA-ON IHUNGIT NALANG AGAWON PA,” they said.

Furthermore, the death of the number one (no. 1) communist terrorist in Northern Leyte, known by his true name as Nestor Caliwan alias Apoy/Lipas/Usman is causing this group to take desperate actions like extorting money, robbery and killing innocent civilians. These inhuman acts persuaded the people to protest and reported their presence to this unit. 

The Commanding Officer of the 19th IB emphasized that “this is just a result of the Army’s continuous efforts and diligence to our sworn duty to secure and protect the people and its territory as mandated by our constitution.” LtC Dagoy, CO, 19IB urges the people to continue reporting all terroristic actions of the CPP/NPA in the barangays including their extortion activities (revolutionary taxation) in the city in order to effectively neutralize this menace in our society for our people to enjoy the peace and the prospect for economic growth and development that they truly deserved. And to those whose relatives are still active communist terrorist CPP/NPA member to convince them to surrender and return to the folds of the law before it’s too late.