Police serve arrest warrants vs suspect in mayor's attack
BUTUAN CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-13 (Caraga) has reported the service of arrest warrants against the primary suspect in the non-fatal shooting of Mayor Ronito Martizano of Barobo, Surigao del Sur earlier this year.
In a statement on Friday, PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV identified the suspect as alias Commander Puma, 39, the former deputy secretary of the dismantled communist New People’s Army (NPA) Guerrilla Front 30, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Westland-North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
The suspect was held at the Barobo Municipal Police Station's custodial facility in Barangay Poblacion when the arrest warrants were served shortly after his arrest in the same town on Thursday.
Martizano, 60, and his security escort were wounded in an attack in Barangay Dughan, Barobo on Feb. 3.
“Brig. Gen. Magistrado immediately ordered the activation of the Special Investigation Task Group Martizano to conduct a manhunt against the suspects after the attack,” PRO-13 spokesperson, Police Lt. Col. Jennifer Ometer, said in a phone interview on Friday.
She added that the suspect, considered the most wanted person in the region, is facing several criminal cases filed with the Regional Trial Court Branch 28 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur on April 27.
The criminal cases include frustrated murder in Criminal Case No. 26-5120 and three attempted murder cases in Criminal Case Nos. 26-5126, 26-5123, and 26-5125.
“The arrest of Caraga region’s topmost wanted person is a testament to PRO-13’s relentless commitment to upholding justice,” Magistrado said.
The arrest, he added, was a significant breakthrough that effectively solved the shooting incident involving the mayor.
Magistrado also commended the operating troops for their hard work, professionalism, and dedication to duty. (PNA)