ARRESTED REBEL. Elbert Prado, 41, an alleged New People’s Army rebel, is arrested Thursday (July 14, 2022) in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur. The suspect, who has a standing arrest warrant for attempted murder, was allegedly involved in the ambush of government militiamen on March 18, 2020, in Barangay Diatagon. (Photo courtesy of SDSPPO)
BUTUAN CITY – An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel involved in the ambush of government militiamen in Surigao del Sur two years ago has been arrested, the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) said Friday.
In a statement, PRO-13 Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said suspect Elbert Prado, 41, was apprehended Thursday at Barangay Diatagon in Lianga town, Surigao del Sur.
Prado has a standing arrest warrant issued on January 15, 2021, by the Regional Trial Court Branch 7, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, for attempted murder.
Prado was among the NPA rebels who ambushed the government militiamen on March 18, 2020 in Kilometer 10, Sitio Emerald, Barangay Diatagon, police said.
He is also considered the eighth most wanted person in the Caraga Region.
“Rest assured that the police in Caraga will continue to strive for the maintenance of peace and order, and provide the people with a safer place to live, away from the threats of wanted criminals,” Caramat said.
The Communist Party of the Philippine-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 was 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)
