ILOILO – Three suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and a civilian were arrested in simultaneous police operations on Wednesday, Sept. 14, in Barotac Viejo town.
Joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 6 (CIDG-6), Regional Intelligence Unit-6 (RIU-6), Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Barotac Viejo Police Station first arrested Leo Lacumbo, 40, of Brgy. Santiago, Barotac Viejo, and civilian Jeffrey Alemania, 33, of Brgy. Ungka 1, Pavia. They are both natives of Brgy. Tuburan, Tulunan, North Cotabato.
Lacumbo was arrested for three counts of attempted murder with a bail bond of P72,000 for each count, while Alemania was caught for possessing a hand grenade and a caliber.45 pistol.
According to Police Major Jess Baylon of CIDG-6, Lacumbo was classified as a high-value individual (HVI) being the regional operational command (ROC) and 1st deputy secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Party Committee (SMRC) of CPP-NPA.
Hours after their arrests, two more rebels were also nabbed at the NHA People’s Village, Brgy. Vista Alegre, Barotac Viejo.
Rey Adolfo, 33, and Maricel Restituta, 27, are members of the regional tax implementing group (RTIG), police said.
Adolfo, former commanding officer of SMRC-CPP-NPA regional headquarters, faces charges of murder with no bail recommended, two counts of homicide with a bail bond amounting to P120,000, and illegal discharge of illegal firearms with a recommended bail of P10,000.
Meanwhile, Restituta was arrested for illegal possession of a hand grenade.
They were all detained at the CIDG-6.
Police Regional Office 6 director, Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, lauded his men for arresting wanted rebels.
“So far, maganda ang ginagawa ng ating police towards wanted individuals, especially rebels,” Francisco said./PN
