Top CPP-NPA official in Mindanao killed in gunfight in Surigao del Sur

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – An alleged high ranking official of the Communist Terrorist Group’s (CTG) Komisyong Mindanao (KOMMID) and his unidentified companion were killed in a firefight with government security forces at a resort in Purok Milion, Barangay San Agustin Sur, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur province early Thursday morning, a military report said.

In a phone interview with The Manila Bulletin, Maj. Rodolfo S. Cordero, Jr., chief of Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Philippine Army’s 4^th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4^th ID) said that the combined troops of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army killed the alleged CTG-KOMMID official in a firefight as warrants of arrest were being served against the suspect. 

Cordero identified the suspect as Alvin Loque, alias Joaquin, an alleged member of the executive committee of KOMMID.

His other companion who was also killed during the firefight has yet to be identified.

Joint elements of the AFP’s 401st Brigade and PNP-Caraga served arrest warrants against the suspect at around 1 a.m. on Thursday. 

“As government law enforcers served the warrants, the suspect, together with his companion, allegedly opened fire towards the arresting forces, which prompted the arresting lawmen to take cover and return fire leading to a gunfight,” Cordero said.

The arresting units were able to recover one Cal .45 Remington 1911 pistol chamber loaded with a magazine and live Cal .45 ammunition, one fragmentation hand grenade, 500 rounds of cal. 7.62 mm ammunition for AK47, one blasting cap, one battery, IED firing mechanism and some 15 meters of electric wire, NPA flags, and subversive documents.

According to Maj. Gen. Andres C. Centino, commanding general of 4^th ID and Joint Task Force Diamond commander, the death of the suspect gives justice to the victims of the CTGs in Mindanao. 

"The suspect was charged with criminal cases that include CC Nr 4611 for alleged Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention issued by Judge Hector B. Salise of Bayugan City RTC Branch 7; CC Nr 10677 for Attempted Murder issued by Judge Kimal Salacop of RTC Br 6, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; CC Nrs 161 to 163 for violation of RA 10364 issued by Judge Tangonan of RTC Br 34, Cabadbaran City; CC Nr 6527; and CC Nr 6525 both for Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention issued by Judge Fudalan of RTC Br 7, Bayugan City," Centino said.  

"No matter how long, those who committed crimes against our people will eventually be caught by the long arms of the law," the 4^th ID chief added, in a statement also sent to The Manila Bulletin on Thursday.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.