The alleged head of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) regional command in Bicol was arrested by joint elements of the Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in a pre-dawn operation in Malabon City on Tuesday, May 9.

(Photo: Philippine Army / Kalinaw News)

The PA identified the arrested suspect as Dindo Monsanto alias “Boy,” the alleged chief of operations for the Regional Operational Command (ROC) of the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC).

According to the Army, Monsanto was nabbed along Javier II Street in Brgy. Baritan, Malabon City around 2:30 a.m. due to alleged illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosive.

The targeted operation was carried out by operatives from Joint Task Force – National Capital Region (NCR), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – NCR, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

The Army said that a loaded M16 rifle, a loaded .45 caliber pistol, and a fragmented hand grenade were seized from Monsanto.

(Photo: Philippine Army / Kalinaw News)

Monsanto “played a pivotal role in coordinating and executing" several major operations of the CPP-NPA in the country including the killing of Far Eastern University (FEU) football star Keith Absalon in Masbate in 2021, and an ambush on police officers in Camarines Norte in 2017, the Army said.

Absalon died along with his cousin, Nolven, when they hit and accidentally triggered an explosive planted by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels while the victims were cycling along Purok 4, Barangay Anas, Masbate City on June 6, 2021.

Meanwhile, PO2 Richard Abad, of the Camarines Norte Police Mobile Force, died while seven other cops were injured when suspected NPA rebels ambushed a police mobile in Brgy. Daguit, Labo, Camarines Norte on Dec. 2, 2017.

Monsanto also "orchestrated" an arson where 11 heavy equipment pieces used in constructing the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay were burned down in September 2017, the Army said.
 
He was also allegedly involved in a raid on the Labo PNP Station in Barangay Dumagmang, Labo, Camarines Norte on March 24, 2021 where five police officers died.

Monsanto was detained at the CIDG-NCR in Quezon City as he faces charges for alleged violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and RA 9516 for alleged illegal possession of explosive.

According to the military, Monsanto also has multiple standing warrants of arrest for five counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of robbery with homicide, and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Law.