NPA leader with P4.8M on his head falls

From the Sun Star-Davao (Oct 17): NPA leader with P4.8M on his head falls

A high-ranking leader of the New People's Army (NPA) wanted for several crimes was arrested at a joint military-police checkpoint in Barangay Mankilam road in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Thursday.

Eastern Mindanao Command's (Eastmincom) public information officer Captain Alberto Caber identified the rebel leader as Dominiciano Daungcay Muya, alias Marco and Atoy, a member of the NPA's Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) executive committee, with P4.8-million cash reward for his arrest based on Department of the Interior and Local Government's Joint Order 14-2012.

Muya was a former staff of the NPA Northeastern-Mindanao Regional Committee and secretary of the Guerilla Front 18 of SMRC.

Caber said Muya was involved in the killing of one Police Officer 1 (PO1) Marito Correos and PO1 Rey Mongaya Ejercito in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on June 19, 2004.

Muya was also tagged in the killing of Second Lieutenant Lucresio Julampong Jr. in Barangay Bantawan, Baganga, Davao Oriental, five years ago.

The rebel was arrested around 1:45 p.m. at a military checkpoint while he was on board a motorcycle, Caber said.

Arrest warrants had been issued against Muya after he was charged with robbery with double homicide and damage to properties, multiple murders, and double frustrated murder before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 7 and 10 in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, and RTC Branch 8 and 10 in Malaybalay in Bukidnon.

"The arrest was made possible through the monitoring and case build-up of Army intelligence units, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office, and the 10th Infantry Division," Caber said.

Caber said the suspect was found in possession of a .45 caliber pistol 1911 with serial number 060878, one hand grenade and two cellular phones, and various documents.

He also said the arrest is in line with guidance of the Eastmincom commander Lieutenant General Aurelio B. Baladad.

"His order is to intensify the campaign against the NPA, particularly in targeting the leadership of the SMRC group to complement the Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) and to focus on military operations," Caber said.

Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division commander Major General Eduardo M. Ano, for his part, said Muya's arrest is another major setback for the communist movement in Southern Mindanao.

He said this may cause demoralization in the group, as well as a vacuum in their leadership.

On March 22, top NPA leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon were arrested in their safe house in Cebu and faced charges of multiple murder.

On May 2, Felix Armodia, secretary of the NPA Front 72, was arrested in Tampakan, South Cotabato with charges of murder, robbery and illegal detention.

After Armodia's arrest, Sandy Malaca of the Front 77 in Albay Province was also arrested in Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City, for murder.

On May 7, Central Visayas Regional Committee secretary Roy Erecre was arrested while travelling to tourist destinations with a married woman.

Last June 21, Corsio Ebeng Ganima, a commanding officer in Mountain Province, was nabbed and faced with six counts of murder.

On August 7, Eduardo Esteban, a Communist Party Central Committee with a P5.8-million reward, was arrested in Jaro District, Iloilo City.

Muya, the latest NPA leader arrested this year, is now temporarily detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group's jail facility in Tagum City.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2014/10/17/npa-leader-p48m-his-head-falls-371568