A HIGH ranking leader and suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) were killed Friday morning, March 13, in a firefight.
After a gunfight with police, Julius Soriano Giron, known to be the chairman of the CPP in Northern Luzon and a member of the CPP-NPA’s Executive Committee, Lourdes Tan Torres [Ma Lourdes Dineros Tangco ‘aka’ Tita], an Executive Committee member with a lone security aide of the two died.
Police served Friday arrest and search warrants for violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, Rebellion, murder, arson and frustrated murder) against them from National Capital Judicial Region signed by 2nd Vice Executive Judge Ferdinand Baylon.
Police reports said the three resisted arrest ensuing a firefight which resulted to the death of Giron, Torres- Tangco and the security aide.
The operation was conducted by joint operatives from the Philippine Army, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR), and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) with representatives from the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) and spurred by information provided by an informant imbedded in the terrorist organization.
Recovered from the scene were an M16 Rifle (chamber loaded); a lone Colt Cal 45 (chamber loaded); one Rock Island Cal 45 (chamber loaded); three hand grenades and a long stainless magazine for M16 with ammo. Equipment included a laptop, three cellphones. (With reports from Maria Elena Catajan)