PNP probes CTs attack in Tubay

The communist’s terrorists (CTs) entered Tubay Municipal Police Station on December 22, 2208 (Monday) at around 12:15 in the morning and left at 1:00 in the morning carting away one caliber 9MM pistol and the station's base radio.

No casualty on government side reported. The CTs riding two vans suddenly stopped in front of the Police Station. An undetermined number of CTs, wearing camouflage uniforms, rushed towards the police officers on duty and ordered them lie prone on the ground. They then took the issued 9MM pistol of PO2 Raymund Masambo, one of the guards on duty.

The other six officers who were then resting at the mezzanine floor of the police station noticed the raiding CTs. Since they were only armed with short firearms, they decided to jump out of the station, fled and regroup at the Mayor's residence, which is just behind the police station.

This is part of the pre-arranged security measure being adopted by the station. From there, they were given additional firearms owned by the local government. On the other hand, the CTs noting that there are no firearms inside the police station just carted away the ICOM base radio and the earlier confiscated firearm and proceeded to the nearby Globe Transmission tower.

They poured gasoline and partially burned the office area of the tower. The police officers now armed with more firearms, maneuvered and fired at the CTs forcing them to flee. The extent of damages in the Globe transmission tower is now being investigated.

Allegedly, the SRMI Mining Company located in Tubay was already raided. More or less 30 CTs, in camouflage green uniform approached the two guards on duty near the gate of the mining company and introduced themselves as RMG personnel.

The guards were caught off-guard when their barricades were rammed by the vehicles of the CTs. Thereafter, they were held hostages including the Chief, Security Officer who went out of the company's office. The CTs then ransacked the office and carted away firearms found thereat. Then accompanied by the Security Officer held hostage they went up the mining site using the mining company's four wheel drive vehicles.

They also took the firearms of guards on duty therein. Reportedly, some Security Guards of the mining area were able to elude the raiding CTs bringing with them their firearms. Following firearms carted away were Two M16 rifles with serial numbers 983691 and 980174; three Armscor caliber 38 revolvers with serial numbers 1019281,1019289 and 1067343; Two 12 gauge shotguns with serial numbers 1024896 and 1024898; one 9MM pistol with serial number 1097175.

The said firearms are owned by Gallantry Security Agency, which handles the security of the SRMI mining. Three heavy equipment were burned (1 each Volvo, Komatsu and Caterpillar backhoes). The security force of the mining company was not able to fight back allegedly because they were surprised.

Reinforcements to Tubay were delayed because the CTs set up blocking points at different areas going to Tubay. From Butuan City, the CTs blocked the road at the vicinity of Barangay Sto. Niño, Butuan City using a Bachelor Bus, the tires of which were shot flat by the CTs.

Hence, the troop of 14th RMG and Agusan del Norte PPMG cannot immediately proceed to Tubay. Also, the reinforcements from 30IB, Philippine Army in Placer, Surigao del Norte were not able to proceed to the area immediately because the CTs set up a checkpoint at the Vicinity of Alegria, Surigao del Norte.

The team from 14th RMG stationed in Santiago, Agusan del Norte was also delayed in reinforcing Tubay because of the blockade of fallen trees set up by CTs in twin bridge, Santiago and at Barangay Tagmamarkay, Tubay, Agusan del Norte.

As of this report, however, all blockades had been cleared. Pursuit operations and strong check/chokepoints are being made by both police and AFP units to apprehend the fleeing CTs who reported used commandeered vans and an Isuzu elf to flee.

Four vans allegedly commandeered and used to ferry the CTs are now in the custody of police. Two drivers of the vans are now undergoing tactical interrogation at Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) and the other two drivers are now undergoing tactical interrogation at Cabadbaran City Police Station led by PCSUPT Jaime Eloreta Milla, Caraga Police Director.

Investigators are now pursing the allegations that the real target of the CTs raid is the Mining Company because of its failure to pay the "forced taxation" being imposed by the terrorists. Investigation is still on going for the probable filing of appropriate cases against the responsible CTs.

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