Top CPP-NPA leader nabbed in Iloilo City

By Jennifer P. Rendon

One of the country’s most wanted Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) leaders was arrested on the afternoon of Nov. 3 in Barangay Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The suspect, identified as alias Mayok, 67, a former secretary of the NPA Komiteng Rehiyon–Panay (KR-P) Central Front, was captured while hiding at the Jubilee Gawad Kalinga Village in the same barangay.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office–Provincial Intelligence Unit (IPPO-PIU), together with personnel from the Philippine Army’s 82nd and 61st Infantry Battalions, the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion, and the Philippine National Police’s Regional Intelligence Division 6 (RID6), IPPO SWAT, Passi City Police Station, Iloilo City Police Office–City Intelligence Investigation Unit, ICPO SWAT, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit 6, and Iloilo City Police Station 3, arrested the suspect after decades of evading authorities.

His arrest carries a monetary reward of PHP 2.55 million, as stipulated under the Department of National Defense–Department of the Interior and Local Government (DND-DILG) Joint Order on Rewards (JOR) No. 14-2012.

The operation was carried out by virtue of two warrants of arrest—one for rebellion issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 21 in Mambusao, Capiz, on June 28, 2012, and another for multiple murder with the use of explosives and multiple frustrated murder issued by RTC Branch 22 in Iloilo City on March 10, 2006.

No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

During the arrest, authorities recovered a caliber .45 Colt pistol (serial number 192284) with a magazine and seven rounds of ammunition, along with an M26 HE fragmentation grenade.

Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, Western Visayas police chief, lauded the coordinated effort among the operating units and reaffirmed the Police Regional Office 6’s (PRO6) dedication to combating insurgency and pursuing wanted persons.

“The arrest is a product of intelligence-driven operations and strong collaboration among our police and military forces. It sends a clear message that justice will always catch up with those who continue to threaten peace and order,” Ligan said.

Mayok was placed under police custody for proper documentation and legal processing.

He will also face additional charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives) and Republic Act No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).