Inter-Agency arrest NPA Spox and a Leader in Far South

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - A Spokesman and a Leader of CPP-NPA-NDF Terrorist Group (CTG) being monitored in Far South Mindanao, together with two others, were arrested by an Inter-Agency Group composed of the elements of 1002nd Infantry Brigade under BGen. Adonis Bajao and Police Region Office 12, during a Law Enforcement Operation at Barangay Kalaong, Maitum, Sarangani Province in the early morning of October 10, 2019.

Ltc. Jones Otida, Commanding Officer of 27th Infantry Battalion, identified the arrested as Nicanor Pason or also known as Kumander Costan, Leader of a CTG being monitored in the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat; Bernard Prespetero, Spokesperson of the Far South Mindanao Regional Committee of the CTG; and a certain Josephine Carvajal Sumagaysay and Reynaldo Beringel Loyola, both CTG couriers and contacts.

Alias Costan has a standing Warrant of Arrest for murder issued by Regional Trial Court 11, Branch 38 Alabel, Sarangani Province.

Accordingly, during the apprehension, Costan attempted to diffuse a fragmentation grenade to negate arrest which prompted the arresting troops to execute a calibrated action to immobilize the subject.

Alias Costan, who is the lone wounded was brought by the apprehending soldiers to Maitum Hospital for immediate treatment and further medical attention, while the three others were brought the PNP station for necessary legal proceedings.

"Now that the CTG is losing mass support and manpower brought about by the initiatives of LGUs and other government agencies, we will be running after their leaders who continuously embrace the violent armed struggle," Lt. Gen. Felimon T. Santos Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command said.

"While doing so, we will continue to work for the resolution of issues that are being exploited by the CTGs, so that, once and for all, we will achieve peace under the President's timeline," he added.

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP