REBEL MILITIA NABBED. The Philippine National Police in Caraga Region announces the arrest of Cesar Mabandos Acebedo, a suspected member of the NPA's Milisya ng Bayan, on Wednesday (Jan. 8, 2020). Acebedo was arrested in an operation conducted by joint operatives of the PNP in Barangay Tabon-tabon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, on January 7. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13 Information Office)
BUTUAN CITY – The Police Provincial Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) on Wednesday reported the arrest of a suspected militiaman of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Agusan del Sur.
PRO-13 director, Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr. on Wednesday identified the suspect as Cesar Mabandos Acebedo, 53 years of age, married and a resident of Purok 3C, Barangay Ampayon, here.
Acebedo was arrested by the joint forces of Bayugan City Police Office, Sibagat Municipal Police Station, and 1st Agusan del Sur Provincial Mobile Force in a manhunt operation conducted last January 7 in Barangay Tabon-tabon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.
Esquivel said Acebedo is an active member of Milisya ng Bayan under Guerrilla Front 21-A of the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
GF 21-A, he added, is considered a "weakened" NPA guerrilla unit.
Acebedo was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued last December 9, 2013, by Judge Hector B. Salise of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 6 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur for Murder.
Esquivel assured the residents in the region of the continuing anti-criminality and anti-insurgency campaigns of the PNP.
“Our campaigns are aimed to ensure the safety and security of all Caraganons and to attain lasting peace,” Esquivel said. (PNA)
