CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – An alleged official of the New People’s Army (NPA), who had standing warrants of arrest, was arrested by the joint police and Army forces in a manhunt operation conducted in Barangay Agay-ayan, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental province.
“The suspect has several standing warrants of arrest and completely surprised when arresting police and Army forces arrived in said targeted area,” police regional information chief Maj. Renel E. Serrano told The Manila Bulletin on Monday.
He added that the suspect was jointly arrested by the Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13), Gingoog City Police Station and Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion (23rd IB).
PRO 13 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr., identified the arrested suspect as Venacio Y. Idpalina, alias Bembem, 38, and a resident of Purok-6, Barangay Agay-ayan, Gingoog City.
The suspect was said to be an official of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Kingdom, Guerilla Front 4-A (GF4-A) of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Esquivel said the suspect was charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention, multiple attempted murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder.
The joint operation was also participated in by the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) City Intelligence Branch, Butuan City Mobile Force Company and intelligence operatives of the 23rd IB.
“The operation that led to his arrest was part of our aggressive and more intensified campaign against insurgency and wanted persons,” Esquivel said.
“I am encouraging all our remaining brothers and sisters who are deceived by the CPP-NPA terrorists to surrender and return to the folds of the law,” he said.
"The government is offering an E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program) which provides several benefits like financial assistance and livelihood program to former rebels and militiamen who surrendered to the government," Esquivel added.