An alleged commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) was
arrested by policemen and members of the 23rd Infantry Battalion manning a
Commission on Elections composite checkpoint in Esperanza town in Agusan Del
Sur on Monday afternoon.
Ricardo Manili aka Commander Joker, said to be the fourth
most wanted person in Caraga Region, was nabbed in Barangay Remedios.
Manili carried a P4.9-million reward on his head, according
to police regional director Chief Supt. Rolando Felix.
“Commander Joker was inside a van without an authorized
plate, that inside the van the police team were also able to get a homemade
shotgun, a caliber .45 pistol, a 9mm pistol, an improvised explosive device,
grenade, two blasting caps, three bolos, several rounds of ammunition, medical
kit and other documents and personal belongings,” Felix said.
“There were also six individuals inside the van with him who
are now under investigation to verify their real names and assess if they are
together with Commander Joker and members of the NPA,” he added.
Felix, who assumed his post in January this year, considered
the capture a big achievement for the region’s police force.
“This is an achievement not only for the police but also for
our brothers in the Army and a huge hit to the leadership of the NPA here in
Caraga Region. Commander Joker is knows to be an institution within the armed
movement, I’m sure his capture will have an impact towards the NPA,” he said.
A police field report said the vehicle was on its way to Bayugan City
through the new road along Esperanza and believed to have come from barangay
Tungao in Butuan City
Police said Manili has an outstanding warrant for two counts
of rebellion, two counts of murder, robbery with homicide, two counts of
multiple murder and arson.
In October 2011, the 4th Infantry Battalion made a report
that Manili was killed in an encounter in Barangay Calabuan, Esperanza along
with four other guerrillas.
The NPA refuted the military report.
Manili was last seen on camera as the NPA commander who
handed over the release of Corporal Adriano Bingil of the Army’s 26th Infantry
Battalion on December 31, 2015 in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.
On Monday, the National Democratic Front-North Central
Mindanao issued a statement that Manili’s arrest would not hamper the scheduled
release of Privates First Class Diven Tawide and Glen Austria, two members of
the 23rd Infantry Battalion who were held as captives by the NPA.
NDF regional spokesperson Cesar Renerio said they expect the
military and police to treat Manili the way the NPA treats its
“prisoners-of-war” especially since Manili is suffering from emphysema of the
lungs.
He said Manili’s companions who were also arrested are
relatives who attended to him whenever the disease attacks.
He said his relatives should be released if the police could
attend to Manili’s medical needs.
Renerio claimed the explosives and other weapons allegedly
found inside the van were planted to justify the arrest.
The rebel made good of its promise by releasing on Tuesday
afternoon not just Tawide and Austria
The release took place in Balit village in San Luis, Agusan
del Sur.
Ka Omar Ibarra, the NPA’s custodial officer said his
comrades saw Awadi and Perez roaming around the venue of the release in
civilian clothes.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2016/05/04/alleged-npa-leader-nabbed-in-agusan-sur-rebels-free-3-soldiers-militiaman/
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