ILOILO City – A former high-ranking member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) was arrested on Monday, November 3, in Jubilee Gawad Kalinga Village, Barangay Buntatala, Jaro district after more than ten years of hiding.
The 67-year-old alias “Ka Mayok,” former secretary of the Central Front, Komite Rehiyon-Panay (KR-Panay) of the New People’s Army (NPA), was caught around 3:15 p.m.
He is tagged as the top most wanted person in the national level with a reward of P2.5 million for his arrest.
Joint operatives of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), and 82nd and 61st Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army apprehended the suspect through the strength of two arrest warrants for rebellion, issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 21 in Mambusao, Capiz on June 28, 2012, and for multiple murder with the use of explosives and multiple frustrated murder, issued by RTC Branch 22 in Iloilo City on March 10, 2006, with no bail recommended.
Authorities recovered the following items from the suspect: one unit of caliber .45 pistol (Colt) with serial number 192284; one magazine of caliber .45; seven rounds of live ammunition for caliber .45; and one M26 HE fragmentation grenade.
The suspect is now under police custody for proper documentation and legal procedures. He will also be facing additional charges for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives) and RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
IPPO director Colonel Bayani Razalan lauded the efforts and dedication of the operating teams instrumental in the arrest of the suspect.
The successful capture, he said, is a product of the collaborative efforts of the police, the military, and the government as a whole, all united in the mission to arrest the remaining CTG members and end the decades-long problem of armed conflict.
“Ang madinalag-on nga pagkadakop kay alias ‘Ka Mayok,’ isa ka most wanted person sa aton pungsod kag anay mataas nga opisyal sang CTG sa Panay, isa ka pamatuod sang dedikasyon kag maayo nga pagbuligay sang tanan nga pwersa nga nagpatigayon sang operasyon. Isa man ini maathag nga mensahe sa tanan naton nga mga utod nga nagapabilin pa sa hublag kag nagapadayon sa palagyo kag magpanago: Wala na kamo sang palanaguan. Mas maayo pa nga mag-surrender na kamo kag mag-avail sang mga programa sang gobyerno agud magpangabuhi sang malinong kaupod ang inyo pamilya,” Razalan added.
The IPPO chief encouraged anew the remaining CTG members to surrender, return to the folds of the law, and live peacefully with their families./PN
