Ten armed PAG leaders, ‘guns-for-hire’ surrender

By Mar T Supnad

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur – Ten alleged leaders and members private armed groups (PAGs) identified as the Gomez- Cachola Crime Group and the Abiang Group surrendered to police last week in this province.

Chief Supt Ricardo C. Marquez, Ilocos police director bared this saying they have intensified operations to rid the region of Private Armed Groups (PAG.

Marquez said that the continuous and close monitoring of the Regional Intelligence Division, the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office and the Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) resulted to the surrender of the Gomez- Cachola Group and followed by the theAbiang Group.

According to the regional director, the Gomez- Cachola Group, listed as a crime group while the Abiang Group, considered as a partisan armed group allegedly engaged in gun-for-hire activities and responsible in various crimes in the second district of Ilocos Sur, voluntarily submitted themselves to the police witnessed by local government officials .

The surrenderees however denied their involvement on any irregularities especially this election period and promised to cooperate and assist police in ensuring for peace and order.

"They vowed to cooperate and not to allow themselves to be used as PAG by any politicians," said Supt. Julius Suriben, deputy intelligence chief.

The Abiang group also surrendered one short Cal. 38 pistol with bullets and one homemade shotgun with no markings and ammunition.

All suspects executed affidavits of undertaking and gave their barangay clearances and pictorials.

“This is a result of our joint efforts on intensified campaign against all barriers in ensuring secure and fair elections,” Marquez said.