4 Kalinga armed group members yield to cops

TABUK CITY, Kalinga - Four members of Private Armed Groups (PAGS) in Kalinga voluntarily surrendered to law enforcers here last week heeding the call of police and local officials to ensure fair elections during the May 2013 local polls.

 In Camp Dangwa, Benguet, Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong, Cordillera police director, said the son and nephew of CosmeBasungitGunnawa, and his wife Grace Pinated Gunnawa surrendered two members of the PAGs on Dec. 8 at Camp Juan M. Duyan, Bulanao, Kalinga police provincial office.

Magalong identified the surrenderees as Cosme Pinated Gunnawa Jr. alias Bongad, the son of the  Gunnawa couple and AsleyPinated, alias Atley, nephew of Ms Gunnawa who are both members of the Virgilio Gunnawa PAG.

Tabuk City Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban, Magdalena Moldero Gumangan Alias Apong Dalen of Radio Natin, PO3 Marvin B. Bocalbos of the Philippine Navy, military officials and Kalinga provincial police officials witnessed the surrender of Bongad and Atley.

During the meeting, Tubban and the other personalities bared involvement of the two PAG members and presented documents regarding their dismissed cases and clearances from the barangay and courts. 

On Dec. 11, two brothers, also members of the Paul Dillaga PAG (formerly GeofreyBanya-ao PAG) voluntarily surrendered at Camp Duyan.

Magalong identified the other two surrenderees as Mark Dacnas who was listed as an active member and his brother Eugene Dacnas, who was previously delisted from the group.

Both individuals presented themselves to Kalinga provincial police officials.

Both brothers were accompanied by Willy Cos-agon and barangay captain Rogelio Polon of Barangay Cabaruan, Tabuk City.

The surrender was witnessed by Aquino S. Perez of DZRK, Radio Ng Bayan, Tabuk City and Pastor SagradoAgdamag.  

Both said they surrendered considering that police launched an all-out campaign to rid the region of PAGs in preparation for the conduct of peaceful and free elections next year.