BUTUAN CITY – Police have arrested two suspected members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in separate operations in Tandag City Wednesday afternoon, the chief of the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) said Thursday.
In a statement, Col. James T. Goforth identified the suspects as Ramel Aguire, 47, and Jenelyn Abao, 29, both residents of Purok Golden Shower, Barangay Pangi.
“Aguire is listed as top one most wanted person in provincial level in Surigao del Sur,” Goforth said, adding the suspects are live-in partners.
Aguire and Abao are members of the "weakened" Guerrilla Front (WGF) 30A of the NPA under a certain Joel Mahinay, Goforth said.
Goforth said the suspects were arrested by virtue of arrest warrants issued last year by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 40 in Tandag City for murder and multiple attempted murder.
The court recommended no bail bond for the suspects.
Goforth said the couple was among the NPA rebels who figured in an armed encounter with the local police in September last year in a hinterland area in Tandag City.
A policeman, Patrolman Jennis Mark Encinas, was killed during the encounter.
“The arrest of these CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) members only proves that we are determined to go after criminals who have violated the law and to bring justice to their victims,” Goforth said. (PNA)
