Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, commander of the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion. (PNA file photo by Alexander Lopez)
BUTUAN CITY – The recent arrest of three suspected communist New People's Army (NPA) members dealt a major blow to their extortion activities in Agusan del Norte, an Army official said Friday.
Police and Army personnel apprehended Sherlita B. Perales, 62; Honey Grace C. Perales, 18; and Marnel G. Bahian, 25; on Wednesday in separate operations in the towns of Magallanes and Buenavista, both in Agusan del Norte.
The three have standing warrants of arrest for various crimes, and are allegedly active members of Guerilla Front 4A of the NPA's Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, commander of the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion, said the three were tasked with generating money for the rebel unit.
“The three CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists) are members of the fund generating team of GF 4A who receive and collect the money being extorted in Butuan City and other towns in Agusan del Norte,” Paulo said.
In particular, he said the suspects worked as collectors for money extorted by GF 4A finance officer Jelan Pinakilid from the different establishments and businesses in the province, and would send the collected cash through money transfers and couriers.
Paulo said Bahian, who is facing arson charges, also served as an intelligence staff of GF 4A operating in this city and the towns of Carmen, Buenavista, Nasipit, and Las Nieves in Agusan del Norte.
“The arrest of the three CNT members is a big blow as we effectively cut their financial and other forms of support,” Paulo said. “GF 4A is among the notorious CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) in Caraga Region and known for its extortion activities and harassments of villages, especially in remote areas."
In April 2016, Paulo said a former Milisya ng Bayan member under GF 4A who surrendered to the 23IB disclosed how the NPA collected millions from different businesses in Agusan del Norte.
Paulo said the Army's sustained operations have “effectively debilitated GF 4A with only a handful of armed members remaining that threaten the residents in remote areas".
He said that the Army will not stop pursuing the remaining members of GF 4A "until they make up their mind and go back to the fold of the law".
“We are always willing to help you to go back to normal life, and we will never hesitate to assist you in availing the support of the government, especially from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program for you to start a new life,” Paulo said. (PNA)
