NPA rebs execute Mt Province Army asset

SOMEWHERE IN MOUNTAIN PROVINCE – Communist guerillas of the Leonardo Pacsi Command-New People’s Army in Mt Province, “meted out the death penalty on Junjun Angtan aka Dadpaas, an active intelligence agent of the 54th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army for his crimes against the revolutionary movement and the people” evening of Aug. 21.

Ka Magno Udyaw, LPC-NPA spokesperson said JunjunAngtan was also an active member of the CAFGU under the 77th CAA Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division.

“A native of Barangay Balintaugan, Bauko, Mt. Province, he overzealously and continuously monitored the movements of NPA units operating in the western side of Mt Province and directly reported to his superiors in the 54th IB since 2010,” Udway said in a statement.

Angtan was reportedly the lead scout of a massive military operation conducted by combined forces of the 54th IB, 52nd Division Reconnaisance Company and the Scout Ranger Battalion from May 30 to June 8, 2010 targeting the oundary of municipalities of Tadian, Bauko, Besao and Sagada.

“He used his familiarity of the terrain in the area in guiding the combat troops that led to discovery of a NPA encampment and ensuing armed encounter at Mt. Alipiniw in Barangay Bagnen Oriente, Bauko.  This endangered the lives of numerous comrades,” Udyaw said. 

       The military operations came closely reportedly after the Mining Geo-Sciences Board-Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources hearings on overlapping mining applications of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company and the Cordillera Exploration Company, Incorporated (CEXCI) in boundaries of Bauko-Sagada-Tadian and Besao towns.

“After the brutal offensive operations, Angtan regularly reported to the battalion headquarters of the 54th IB based in Bontoc, Mt Province,” Udyaw said.

“He regularly accompanied military intelligence agents in their intelligence operations and in setting up their intelligence networks in lower Bauko and other areas. When the 54th IB transferred its headquarters to Barangay Butigue in Paracelis, Mountain Province on 2012, JunjunAngtan went along with them and continued his nefarious activities in eastern Mt. Province and eastern Ifugao.”

Even before the June 2010 military combat operations, Udway said the NPA repeatedly warned JunjunAngtan to stop his intelligence activities. His relatives were likewise advised to help dissuade him from serving as took of the AFP. 

However, despite the repeated warnings and summons by relatives, Angtan reportedly continued his counter-revolutionary activities.

“The People’s Revolutionary Government and the NPA units in the area have conscientiously investigated and weighed the gravity of JunjunAngtan’s activities that merited his death sentence,” Udyaw said.

“Let his case be a warning to all the intelligence agents of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police, especially Igorots, not to become traitors to the tribes and communities they come from by working as devout paid agents of the oppressors. Likewise, this serves as warning to civilians who are duped by the PNP and the AFP in carrying out intelligence errands against the revolutionary forces, and the oppressed and exploited people,” the statement said.