CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY --- An alleged member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) had been arrested during a recent joint operation by the police and military at the Urban Poor Village, Barangay Iponan in this city.
In a statement, the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army identified the alleged NPA member as Aldeem Yañez.
The statement said that conducted ideological, political, and organizational (IPO) works in the underground movement in Saldav and Pantaron Range Complex in Bukidnon province, while also facilitating the NPA's extortion activities in the urban areas of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.
Yañez was arrested for violation of the Republic Act No. 10591 also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, on the strength of a Search Warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court, Misamis Oriental, 10th Judicial Court on April 6, 2022.
The implementation of the search warrant was carried out by joint operatives from the Regional Special Operations Team (RSOT) of the Police Regional Office 10, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit 10 and the Task Force Oro of the 403rd Infantry Brigade.
The authorities recovered from Yañez's possession one cal. 45 Pistol, two fragmentation hand grenades, two 40mm ammunition, fake IDs (voter’s and vaccine card) and subversive documents.
Commander MGen. Wilbur Mamawag of the 4th Infantry Division lauded the operating personnel of the police and military for the successful operation and urged NPA rebels to surrender to the government.
“Again, we call on the remaining CTG leaders to better lay down their arms and turn themselves in peacefully. Various social benefit programs await those who want to lead normal lives anew,” Mamawag said.
On the other hand, the Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (YIFI), headed by the National Youth Executive Council strongly condemned the arrest of Yañez and denounced its illegality.
According to the YIFI statement released on Wednesday, April 13, through their facebook page, the arrest of Yañez is another case of human rights violation.
The YIFI has called for the immediate release of Yañez, who was their former National Youth President.
"We sincerely call for the immediate release of our former National Youth President who was arrested due to illegal possession of firearms and give him the utmost respect that they deserve as citizens of this country," the statement said.
"We oppose his illegal arrest and detention, and we call for the stop of red-tagging! We shout to stop church persecution. We also demand for an immediate action to face the concerns of the marginalized sectors by addressing their needs and promoting unity rather than violence," the statement added.
Meanwhile, in his facebook post on Tuesday, April 12, Redeemer Yañez, the brother of the arrested suspect, said Aldeem Yañez is a Christian activist and not a terrorist.