Camp BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO, La Union -Two high-value targets, one  associated with a notorious drug group was captured during separate buy-bust operations in Ilocos Norte, on June 15  The operations resulted in the confiscation of a total of  11.17 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P75,556.00. The leader of the Gamdaca Drug Group under COPLAN GAMDA, was apprehended in the buy-bust operation in Solsona, Ilocos Norte. This successful operation was a collaborative effort led by Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and Ilocos Norte Provincial Intelligence Unit together with Solsona MPS, RID 1, and PDEA INPO, with coordination from PDEA RO1. The suspect was found in possession of 8 grams of suspected shabu, neatly packaged in four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets with an estimated value of P54,000.00. In a buy-bust operation in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, another high-value target was captured by personnel from Sta. Cruz MPS, ISPDEU, ISPIU, and Sta. Cruz MARLET unit, in coordination with PDEA RO1.  The operation yielded the confiscation of 3.17 grams of suspected shabu estimated at P21,556. Brig.Gen.Lou Evangelista,regional director, expressed his appreciation for the dedication and effectiveness of his team, stating, “These and other numerous arrests across the region are a testament to our promise of making Region 1 our safe homeland.” The successful capture of these high-value targets marks a significant blow to drug trafficking in the region and underscores the commitment of law enforcement to safeguarding the community against the impact of illegal drugs.

The Local Government Unit of Cervantes, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, 50th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur led the wreath laying ceremony at the Bessang Pass Natural Monument in Cervantes Ilocos Sur in commemoration of the 79th Anniversary of the Victory of Bessang Pass. The event commemorates the victory on 14 June 1945 by Filipino soldiers serving the U.S. Army Forces in the Philippines Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) over the Imperial Japanese Army in the Battle of Bessang Pass which led to Japan’s eventual surrender and end to World War II in the Philippines. It is considered the greatest Filipino Victory in World War II. Governor Jerry Singson represented by SPM Ben Maggay, Cervantes Mayor Pablito Benjamin Maggay II, Department of History UP Diliman Representative Ricardo Jose, Pastoral Formator and Trainor Benito Cabanit, PVAO Administrator USEC LT General Reynaldo Mapagu (Ret) and Vice Mayor Armando Gabuno attended the commemoration.