CHARGED. The Police Regional Office 13 (Caraga) has reported the filing of appropriate charges against Mamerto Salahay, alias Mamer, a member of the Special Operations Group, Sub-Regional Committee Guerilla Front 16 of the New People’s Army. Salahay was arrested in Butuan City on June 8, 2021, while transporting explosive paraphernalia, a gun, and ammunition. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13 Information Office)
BUTUAN CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 (Caraga) reported the formal filing of charges against a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel who was arrested on June 8 for transporting explosive paraphernalia, a gun, and assorted ammunition.
PRO-13 Director, Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr., in a statement Friday, said Mamerto Salahay, alias Mamer, was charged with violations of Republic Act 9516 that amended Presidential Decree 1866, Codifying the Laws on illegal possession, manufacture, dealing, acquisition, and disposition of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.
The 43-year-old suspect, a resident of Purok 12A, Poblacion, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, will also face charges for the violation of the provisions of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
“The cases were filed on Friday by the Butuan City Police Station 4 at the City Prosecutor’s Office in Butuan City,” Caramat said.
He added that Salahay is a member of the Special Operations Group, Sub-Regional Committee Guerilla Front 16 of the NPA.
The suspect was arrested in Barangay Taguibo, this city.
Confiscated from him were three rolls of leg wire (detonating cords), four pieces of improvised blasting caps, 26 pieces of galvanized steel pipes, a caliber .45 Rock Island M1911 A2 FS-TACT pistol, a caliber .45 magazine, eight live ammunition of caliber .45, six pieces of sender blades, a CIGNUS radio with antenna, and 20 pieces of 7.62x39 ammunition.
Caramat recognized the support of the community that led to the arrest of the suspect and the confiscation of the explosive paraphernalia and ammunition.
“The authorities received a tip from the community on the transportation of explosives and ammunition to be delivered to an unknown NPA leader,” he said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
