NPA behind killing of 2 Kalinga soldiers in 2018 finally arrested

Pinukpuk, Kalinga – A member of a Communist Terrorist Group suspected to be behind the ambush of soldiers in Kalinga last 2018 was arrested after authorities served his arrest warrant this February 21, 2022 in Apatan, Pinukpuk.

The ambush killed two soldiers and wounded two others.

The 5th Infantry Division, in a press release, identified the suspect as Martin “Betay” Gamay alias Hilee. He is said to be a member of Squad Dos of the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG)-Baggas of Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee.

Gamay was number 12 on the list of wanted Communist Terrorist Group Personalities in Kalinga. Additionally, he is the number 5 top most wanted individual in the province for the first quarter of 2022.

According to 50th Infantry Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Melanio Somera, the group of Gamay ambushed their troops while they were conducting focused military operations on January 23, 2018,in Sitio Matayog in Barangay Baay, Pinukpuk.

Somera said that the incident killed Corporal Jether Langcay and Private First Class Edward Boggat and wounded Sergeant Virgilio Jacinto and Private First Class Keaven Macaiba.

Four years after the incident, personnel from the 50IB and the Kalinga Police Provincial Office were able to serve the suspect’s arrest warrant for murder this February 21, 2022, after a concerned citizen provided information about Gamay’s whereabouts to the authorities.

In a separate report, KPPO disclosed that 150 meters away from the suspect’s residence, a piece of cal. 30 vintage rifle with two live ammunition suspected to be an issued firearm of the CTG was discovered.

Commanders laud authorities for the operation

The 503rd Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Santiago Enginco, stressed that the government forces will not stop until they can give justice to the victims of violence and atrocities made by the rebels.

Meanwhile, Major General Laurence Mina, 5th Infantry Division Commander, thanked the person who informed them and made possible the capture of the suspect. He added that this should serve as a warning to the remaining CTGs that the security forces will make them answer for their crimes and face the full force of the law.

Kalinga Police Provincial Director, Police Colonel Peter Tagtag Jr., in a separate press statement, likewise expressed that focused police operations will be conducted by the Kalinga police against wanted people and members of terrorist groups to ensure public safety and security.

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