NABBED EXTORTIONISTS. Two suspects who identified themselves as members of the New People’s Army are arrested by the City Mobile Force Company, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. The police said they are still checking the veracity of the suspects' claim that they are part of the communist rebel group. (Photo courtesy of CMFC-COCPO)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) on Tuesday began its probe on two arrested extortion suspects over their alleged links with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
The duo was arrested through an entrapment in Sitio Capisnon, Barangay Kauswagan here on Monday.
The CMFC identified the suspects as Jimboy Mahinay, 27, and Michael Bryan Fabela, 30, both of Zone 2B, Relocation Baluarte, Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental.
In an interview Tuesday, Maj. Ericson Sabanal, leader of the arresting team, said the suspects introduced themselves as NPA operatives to their victim, Fernan Montemor, 45, a taxi operation and cooperative president of Capisnon, Barangay Kauswagan.
Sabanal said the suspects collected revolutionary funds from the victim.
Police immediately launched an entrapment after they received a tip from a resident about the extortion in the area.
Sabanal said the suspects have been doing their extortion for two years now.
"It has been two years already (of visiting the victim) and he (Tutor) just recently reported it to the police because they are worried about their safety," he said.
"They (two suspects) have already undergone interrogation and we are now waiting for the results. They introduced themselves as NPA members," Sabanal added.
The suspects are currently detained at the CMFC custodial facility and robbery-extortion charges have been filed against them before the city prosecutor’s office.
The Communist Party of the Philippines - NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The National Democratic Front (NDF) has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
