(Photo courtesy of Joint Task Force NCR)
MANILA – A ranking member of the communist New People's Army (NPA) in the Bicol Region was arrested in a joint military and police operation early Tuesday morning.
"It is confirmed that we have received the report that Army troops of 9th Infantry Division orchestrated a joint law enforcement operation with JTF-NCR (Joint Task Force-National Capital Region) CIDG-NCR (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region) and RMFB-NCRPO (Regional Mobile Force Battalion-National Capital Region Police Office) that led to the arrest of a certain Dindo Monsanto also known as 'Boy' at Barangay Baritan, Malabon City on May 9, 2023 at around 02:30 a.m.," Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.
Monsanto is the leader of the NPA Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC)'s Regional Operational Command.
He is wanted for five counts of murder and other charges such as attempted murder, frustrated murder, robbery with homicide and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
"The arrested CTG leader played an important role in major atrocities in the Bicol Region including the killing of Keith Absalon, a promising collegiate footballer and MVP (Most Valuable Player) of Far Eastern University, and his cousin Nolven Absalon during an explosion of anti-personnel mine (APM) planted by the NPAs (New People's Army in June 2021)," Trinidad said.
He added that the Army leadership lauds the collaborative efforts of 9th Infantry Division troops, JTF-NCR and other law enforcement agencies resulting in Monsanto's arrest.
Trinidad said Monsanto's apprehension will allow him "to face justice for his heinous crimes."
Initial reports said the military and police teams arrested Monsanto at Javier II Street, Barangay Baritan, Malabon City. Recovered from the suspect were a loaded M-16 automatic rifle and .45-caliber pistol and one fragmentation grenade.
Aside from these atrocities, the suspect also orchestrated the arson that burned down 11 heavy equipment pieces used in constructing the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay province in September 2017.
Monsanto is also implicated in the ambush of a Philippine National Police (PNP) vehicle that left one police officer dead and seven others wounded in Barangay Daguit, Labo, Camarines Norte in December 2017.
He was also involved in the raid on the Labo PNP Station where five police officers were killed on March 22, 2021. (with Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
