Google map of Misamis Oriental province.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Nine members of the indigenous peoples (IP) group suspected of having links with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were indicted by state prosecutors on Tuesday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-10 (CIDG-10) said.
Lt. Noel Oclarit, CIDG-10 in Misamis Oriental deputy team leader, said the suspects were charged with violating Republic Act 10591 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition while others were charged with Republic Act 9516 for illegal possession of explosives.
The accused were identified as Pilutong Langka, Pablita Hilogon, Reynaldo Ayuma, Dandi Hilogon, Bambi Hilogon, Padod Ayuma, and Glenn Hilogon, while the other--Junrey Boy Hilogon and Berni Gandino-- remain at-large.
CIDG-10 led the filing of the charges against the suspects after their arrest last week in Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental.
A team of police and military personnel found assorted firearms, ammunition, and explosives in the houses of the suspects.
Oclarit said the provincial prosecutor has issued the information and resolution of the complaint on June 30 and endorsed them to a regional court.
He said a commitment order has also been issued by the court to transfer the custody of the suspects from the CIDG to the provincial jail.
The accused were expected to turn over to the provincial jail Tuesday afternoon, he added.
Oclarit said CIDG raided the houses of the suspects based on the search warrants issued by a court in Misamis Oriental.
Seized from the suspects’ houses were assorted firearms including three homemade shotguns, two .38 caliber pistols, and various magazine clips and ammunition, and printed materials that police described as “subversive documents.”
Oclarit said prior to the raid, they received information that some of the suspects belonged to an armed group and believed affiliated with the NPA.
Based on an intelligence report, Oclarit said one of the suspects, Langka, was an NPA rebel.
The CIDG-10 official also said many of those arrested were part of a group of IP members who had camped out at the Misamis Oriental provincial capitol in 2018, claiming they were displaced by the fighting between government forces and communist rebels. (PNA)
