A POLICE Regional Office 13 (PRO13)-led operation early morning Friday resulted in the capture of a 53-year-old doctor tagged as a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines Central Committee in San Juan City, a report to PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos said.

PRO13 director, Brigadier Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr. identified the suspect as Dra. Maria Natividad Marian Castro alias “Yam/Agi/Kyle/Prim” – described as a CPP Central Committee member and head of its National Health Bureau.

The Caraga Police director said that the suspect, a resident of Kilometer 3, Bgy. Libertad in Butuan City was caught inside N. Domingo Street in Bgy. San Perfecto, San Juan City 9:40 a.m. yesterday.

“She was arrested on the strength of a warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by Judge Fernando Fudalan of the Bayugan City Regional Trial Court Branch 7 in Agusan del Sur on January 30, 2020 with no bail recommended for her temporary liberty,” said Brig. Gen. Caramat.

The official said that the lady physician is one of the top CPP-NPA priority targets they have targeted for arrest under their Oplan “Kasoy” since last year.

Caramat said that his men from the PRO13 Regional Intelligence Division spearheaded the manhunt operation against the suspect with the assistance of officers from the PNP Intelligence Group, the National Capital Region Police Office Regional Intelligence Division, the Philippine Army, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the San Juan City Police Station.

The accused was immediately informed of her constitutional rights and the Anti-Torture Law following her arrest. “She is now under our custody prior to her presentation to the court,” Brig. Gen. Caramat said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon