16/10/2026
COMMUNIST TERRORIST SUPPORTER SURRENDERS, LEADS TO ARMS CACHE IN CAGAYAN
The Philippine National Police (PNP), under the leadership of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., strengthened efforts to curb communist terrorist group (CTG) activities following the voluntary surrender of a CTG supporter and the recovery of an arms cache during a joint counterinsurgency operation in Cagayan on October 10, 2026.
Personnel of the 1st Special Action Battalion, Special Action Force (1SAB, SAF), provided tactical support to the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Cagayan Police Provincial Office, other PNP units, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) counterparts, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intelligence units in the operation in Barangay Marede, Santa Ana, Cagayan. The operation facilitated the surrender of alias “Dondon,” a non-PSR-listed CTG supporter under Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley.
Upon surrender, he turned over one 7.62mm M14 r***e, one magazine, and three rounds of am******on. Information he disclosed also led to the recovery of one disassembled caliber .38 pistol, one homemade sh***un, two high-explosive (HE) r***e grenades, two rounds of 40mm HE am******on, 250 rounds of 7.62mm am******on, two blasting caps, and seven meters of detonating cord.
The recovered items included 253 rounds of 7.62mm am******on in total, consisting of three rounds surrendered directly and 250 rounds recovered from the arms cache. The explosives and am******on were taken into the custody of the Police Explosive and Canine Unit (PECU) of the Cagayan Police Provincial Office, while the 2nd PMFC took custody of the other surrendered items for documentation and proper disposition.
The surrenderer is undergoing documentation and processing for possible enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which may help facilitate his reintegration into mainstream society.
PGEN Nartatez emphasized the importance of encouraging CTG supporters to abandon armed struggle and choose a peaceful path. “Every individual who lays down their arms is an opportunity to prevent violence, protect communities, and strengthen lasting peace,” he said.
The PNP Chief also called on other CTG supporters to take the opportunity to return to their communities. “May pagkakataon para magsimula muli. Piliin ang kapayapaan at makipagtulungan upang mapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga pamayanan,” PGen Nartatez added.
The operation supports the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly Enhanced Managing Police Operations and Active Community Support, in strengthening public safety, promoting peaceful reintegration, and preventing the proliferation of loose fi****ms and explosives.
Under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the PNP remains steadfast in promoting peace and protecting communities, guided by “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)