Army, PNP arrest NPA leader in Surigao City

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 6): Army, PNP arrest NPA leader in Surigao City

Joint police and military efforts led to the capture of a New People’s Army (NPA) leader on Wednesday, July 5 here.

The arrested person was identified as Arpel Medelozo Rabago a.k.a Ka Yoyo, 30 years old and a resident of Purok 6, Upper Sangay, Barangay Anomar, this city, a vice commander of an NPA platoon of the Guerilla Front 16 operating in Surigao del Norte.

He was arrested by the army's 30th Infantry Battalion, Surigao City Police and Provincial Public Safety Company by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by RTC Branch 32 Judge Dan Calderon at around 5:00 p.m., July 5, 2017 at the checkpoint along the national highway of Barangay Trinidad, this city.

Rabago has a pending case for frustrated murder last October 21, 2013 and warrant of arrest for multiple attempted murder issued by the late Judge Victor Canoy of RTC Branch 29 last November 27, 2015 and kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

He is now with the Surigao City Police Station for proper disposition.

According to 30IB Civil Military Operations Officer 2LT Jonel Castillo, Ka Yoyo is responsible for the series of harassments and extortion in certain parts of the province.

He also led a numerous attacks against government troops who were conducting Peace and Development Activities in the towns of Malimono, San Francisco and Surigao City during the previous years.

In his statement, 30IB Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Allen Tomas said the government troops will continue to strengthen the peace and security in the province.

“We will never allow these communist insurgents to destabilize our peace efforts especially in conflict- affected areas," said Lt. Col. Tomas.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2731499313086/army-pnp-arrest-npa-leader-in-surigao-city