BUTUAN CITY – Joint elements of the Third Special Forces Battalion (3SFBN) and the First Police Mobile Force Company (1st PMFC) of Surigao del Sur apprehended an alleged New People’s Army (NPA) finance staff member at a checkpoint along Marihatag-Cagwait National road in Surigao del Sur on Thursday, military reported Friday night.
Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of 3rd SFBn First Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan told The Manila Bulletin that suspect Sarvina R. Quijano, alias Soping, was apprehended at a checkpoint onboard a multi-cab on Thursday.
The troops manning the checkpoint had noticed in plain view protruding rifle grenades in the multi-cab, which prompted them to search the vehicle, the 3rd SFBn CMO officer claimed.
“The search led to the discovery of two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), blasting cap with detonating cord, three rifle grenades, 5 analog cellular phones, one Lenovo tablet, subversive documents, numerous SIM cards, external drive and a memory card allegedly owned by the suspect,” Punsalan added.
The suspect was later identified by a former rebel (FR) as an alleged finance staff member of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), alleged the 3rd SBFn CMO.
Quijano is now in the custody of 1st PFMC for documentation and filing of appropriate criminal charges, Punsalan added.