ARRESTED. The suspected communist New People’s Army rebels and the subversive documents, guns, and explosives recovered from them during law enforcement operations in Matalam, North Cotabato on Wednesday (May 27, 2020). The suspects are now detained at Matalam municipal police office awaiting the filing of formal charges against them. (Photo courtesy of 602IBde)
COTABATO CITY – A team of military and police personnel arrested a ranking officer of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and two of his followers in Matalam, North Cotabato Wednesday.
Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, identified the arrested suspects as Cirilo Amit, the finance officer of NPA in North Cotabato province, and two companions, Alex Zurita and Roberto Aspura.
“They are now in the custody of the Matalam municipal police undergoing documentation and processing,” Capulong said.
Elements of the Matalam municipal police and the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion arrested the suspects in the village of Alemodian in Matalam around 5 a.m.
Capulong thanked the local officials and residents for providing vital and accurate information to security sectors that led to the arrest of the suspects.
Government forces recovered two handguns, improvised explosives devices, and subversive documents on top of the suspects’ personal belongings.
Military and police officials said they are validating information that Amit was allegedly a leader of a group of extortionists preying on businessmen in North Cotabato.
The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
