Kalinaw News: Ex-NPA leader arrested in Aurora by government troop

From Kalinaw News (Mar 6, 2021): Ex-NPA leader arrested in Aurora by government troops

BALER, Aurora – A former leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Central Luzon who has been detained at the provincial jail since 2009 who has been released before Christmas in 2016 after two Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) acquitted him of rebellion charges was again arrested on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

Lieutenant Colonel Reandrew P. Rubio, battalion commander of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion said that Delfin Pimentel, 62, widower, temporary residing at Barangay Ditumabo, San Luis, Aurora, was said to be the former Secretary of Aurora Provincial Committee, Central Luzon Regional Committee was arrested by joint detectives of CIDG Region 3 PFU Pampanga, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of Nueva Ecija and Aurora, San Luis Police Station and Aurora Police Provincial Office by virtue of Alias Warrants of Arrest (WOA) for the crime of Destructive arson with Criminal Case No. 35-4624 issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 35, Santiago City, Isabela judge Efren M. Cacatian, with No bail recommended and Attempted Homicide with Criminal Case Number 3124 issued by MTC-Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija Presiding Judge Michael Benideck V. Aleta, with Php24,000.00 bail recommended.

Numerous criminal cases were filed against PIMENTEL at RTC Fourth Judicial Branch 96, Baler, Aurora for Multiple Murder, and Multiple Frustrated Murder while Multiple Attempted Murder under Crim Case Nr 3229 was filed at RTC Third Judicial Region Br 66, Baler, Aurora, however, all cases were dismissed in the last Quarter of 2015.

The 91st IB and the Central Luzon police head further remarked that they are united together with all member agencies of the RTF-ELCAC 3 will continue this whole of sector approach against communist terrorist to achieve peace and national unity.

It could be remembered that the twin decisions acquitting Pimentel were penned by Judges Maximo Ancheta and Trece Wenceslao, respectively.

The acquittals arose as the witnesses against Pimentel have stopped appearing in courts.

In 2014, then-RTC Branch Judge Jude Erwin Alaba acquitted Pimentel of charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder in connection with the ambush of two soldiers 16 years ago.

In 2016, he also dismissed charges of illegal possession of firearms against Pimentel and his wife Imelda.

Delfin, who also carries the aliases Ka Crispin, Ka Liben and Tanda, has been detained at the provincial jail here following his arrest and that of Imelda in September 2009 in Dingalan town based on two separate warrants issued by the Baler RTC.

The charges of illegal possession of firearms, a non-bailable offense, were due to the seizure of two M-16 rifles, a shotgun and three hand grenades in the same operation.

At the time of his arrest by elements of the Philippine National Police, Pimentel was listed as the PNP’s “most wanted man” with a P2.6-million bounty on his head.

Pimentel was linked to a series of ambuscades against military officers in the province and in the killings of seven former NPA members who later became government intelligence agents.

The murder cases against Pimentel stemmed after a group of armed men, allegedly led by him fired from the mountain top at a civilian vehicle loaded with soldiers and civilian passengers while passing through the Sierra Madre mountains range in Barangay Diteki, San Luis on February 9, 2000.

Killed in the burst of gunfire were Private First Class (Pfc) Mario Dasalla, Pfc. Julio Angeles and Alexander Castañeda. Wounded were Corporal Benigno Martin and civilians Belmor Baldebarona and Charden Baldebarona.

Back to Rubio, he said that the arrest of former high ranking NPA leader who have standing WOA indicates that the justice system is indeed working targeting those individuals who have criminal liability and violations committed against the government and the people.

“We are in full support to the LGU, PNP, NGAs and other stakeholders in effectively addressing the threats posed by the CTGs particularly the remnants of weakened KLG SIERRA MADRE (KLG-SM),” Rubio said.

Pimentel is now in the custody of CIDG region 3.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/ex-ctg-leader-arrested-in-aurora-by-government-troops/