A SUSPECTED ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) wanted for violation of Republic Act 11188, or the “Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act,” was arrested by local policemen in Davao City on Monday, Police Regional Office 11 (PRO11) Director Brigadier General Benjamin H. Silo Jr. said yesterday.

The suspect, with the alias “Ka Jose”, a deputy secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Command of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)/NPA, was served the warrant of arrest issued against him by a local court inside the Army’s 1003rd Brigade headquarters in Bunawan City where he is already under custody, the official said in a report to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr.

Silo said that members of the Talaingod Municipal Police Station in Davao del Norte, the Regional Intelligence Unit 11, and the Davao del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company went to the Army headquarters to serve the warrant issued against the suspect by Judge Dante Baguio of the Tagum City Regional Trial Court Branch 2 last April 31.

Judge Baguio recommended a P400,000 bail for the temporary liberty of the accused, who was known for leading an NPA group operating in the Talaingod-Bukidnon area.

The suspect was found to be a resident of Barangay Paquibato District in Davao City, said the official.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon