NPA finance staff with multiple criminal charges arrested in Caraga region

BUTUAN CITY – An alleged Communist-New People’s Army (NPA) finance staff who is facing multiple criminal charges was arrested by the combined government security forces in Northeastern Mindanao (The Caraga Region), a police official reported Monday.

Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) Regional Director P/Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat, Jr. identified the arrested suspect as Gab Teo, alleged supply and finance officer of SYB 16-A of Guerilla front 16 (GF 16) of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NMRC).

The suspect was operating in the province of Agusan del Norte and Cabadbaran City, particularly in the municipalities of Jabonga, Kitcharao and Santiago, also of that same province, claimed the region’s top police official.

The police official also said the suspect joined the Godless communist movement in 2016, and his arrest was part of Caraga's campaign against criminality and high vigilance to arrest a criminal.

Caramat said the suspect was arrested through warrants of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court, 10th Judicial Region, Branch 34, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte for Multiple Frustrated Murder with Criminal Case No. 2021-347; Homicide with Criminal Case No. 2021-357; and Multiple Attempted Murder with Criminal Case No. 2021-345, with recommended bail bond of P440,000 for the three criminal cases.

Brig. Gen. Caramat also said the supply and finance officer is one of the suspects who allegedly shot the member of the 29th Infantry Battalion conducting a combat operation on June 21, 2021, at Palo11, Poblacion 2, Santiago, Agusan del Norte (ADN). On May 31, 2012, at Sitio Ilon-ilong, Poblacion, Santiago Agusan del Norte, two army personnel were killed during a combat operation and causing injuries to four other soldiers.

The regional command steps up its operation against wanted persons in the Caraga region.

"Rest assured that we will continue to strengthen our efforts to hunt down wanted individuals hiding in the arms of the law," said Brig. Gen. Caramat.