The Joint elements of Surigao Sur Provincial Police Office (SDS-PPO) and 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) arrested Ernest Abenio Valdez alias Istong, 48 years old, at his residence in Brgy Bayan, Marihatag, Surigao Sur around 2:40 AM, today, Jan 15.
Said personality is a member of depensa/Milisya ng Bayan (MB), liaison officer of SRC Southland and its Special Partisan Unit (SPARU). The arrested person is the brother of Felizardo Valdez, alias, Adu/Paduk, Secretary of Communist NPA Terrorists’ Sub-Regional Command (SRC) Southland.
The arrest was initiated by virtue of a search warrant NR: 2021-12 for violation R.A. 10591 for illegal possession of firearms issued by the 11th Judicial Region, RTC of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.
During the arrest of Valdez, the joint elements of Surigao Sur Provincial Police Office (SDS-PPO), and 3rd Special Forces Battalion confiscated the following items:
- one (1) unit Pistol Cal .45 1911A with inserted magazine and six (6) live ammo,
- one (1) improvised marble gun and
- one (1) short magazine for m16 rifle.
The arrested personality and seized items are now in the custody of Marihatag MPS for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges.
Lt. Colonel Joey Baybayan, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, said that the unit remains focused and steadfast on the campaign and mission to contribute in ending NPA terrorism in Surigao del Sur and the effort was a counter-SPARU measure to preempt NPA–initiated violent activities.
The Local Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (LTF-ELCAC) Peace Law Enforcement Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster composed of AFP, PNP, and other uniformed personnel intensified its monitoring and security operations following the threats of communist NPA terrorist leader and founder Jose Maria Sison to employ its NPA terrorist liquidation squads in the urban areas. (Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, CMO-3SFBn | RPN DXKS)
