BUTUAN CITY – The Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) announced Friday (Nov. 27) the arrest of a member of a communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebel and two other individuals considered as most wanted persons in the area.
“The arrests were made in a one-day police operation conducted on Thursday in the different provinces in Caraga,” said Capt. Dorothy M. Tumulak, the public information officer of PRO-13.
Tumulak identified the arrested NPA combatant as Roberto C. España, a resident of San Luis, Agusan del Sur, who is facing charges for murder.
España, 39, is a regular member of Guerilla Front (GF) 88 of the NPA's Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC). He was arrested in a joint police and Army operation in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, Tumulak said.
In Surigao del Sur, police also arrested the sixth most wanted person in the area, identified as Hurry S. Labiste, a resident of Cagayan de Oro City.
Labiste, 42, is facing charges in violation of the Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004, police said.
In Agusan del Norte, police operatives also nabbed the second most wanted person in Buenavista town, identified as Ricky J. Borja, 34, who is facing charges for attempted homicide.
Tumulak said 15 other individuals facing lesser criminal charges were also arrested in separate police operations on Thursday.
PRO-13 director Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat, Jr. underscored the military's support in the police's campaign to put fugitives and NPA rebels behind bars.
“Amidst the pandemic we are facing today, PNP Caraga’s relentless efforts against wanted persons will continue to ensure safety and security in the region,” Caramat said. (PNA)
