‘Terrorist’ wanted for murder surrenders in Ilocos Sur
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — An alleged active member of a New People’s Army group operating in the tri-provinces of Abra-Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur with an arrest warrant for murder surrendered to authorities in Ilocos Sur on Sunday, the military said here Monday.
Brig. Gen. Krishnamurti A. Mortela, 702nd Infantry Brigade commander identified the rebel surrenderee as Moises T. Palacio, alias Lapang/Bao-et, a member of the NPA’s Komiteng Larangang Gerilya-Abra-Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur (KLG-AMPIS).
Palacio also turned over two M-16 rifles — a Colt M16A1 rifle, and an Elisco M16A1 rifle, with two magazines and two cal. 5.56mm live ammunition.
It was reported that Palacio gave himself up to authorities at the 702nd Infantry (DEFENDER) Brigade, and the 69th Infantry (COUGAR) Battalion, and the Cervantes, Ilocos Sur and Tubo, Abra municipal police in Bgy. Aluling, Cervantes.
During the facilitation of his surrender, authorities learned that Palacio has a standing warrant of arrest for murder docketed under Criminal Case No. N-0264 and issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 58, in Bucay, Abra on January 26, 2004.
The 702nd Infantry Brigade commander said Palacio has been turned over to the municipal police in Cervantes for proper disposition.
Mortela welcomed Palacio’s surrender and attributed it to the intensive collaboration of the MTF-ELCAC.
The military officer called on the remaining members of KLG-AMPIS to lay down their arms and be a part of the peaceful community.
Meanwhile, 7th ID chief, Major Gen. Andrew D. Costelo lauded Palacio for his courage in surrendering.
“KLG-AMPIS has been notorious in its crimes against humanity in Northern Luzon and nearing provinces, that is why one of our main focuses is to finally dismantle this terrorist group by conducting Focused Military Operations in the next few weeks. Also, together with the collaborative efforts with our local government units and national agencies, we will intensify our peace and development activities in the remaining communities that has Barangay Development Programs in place,” said MGen. Costelo.
