Casilao arrest ‘final nail in the coffin’ for Reds in Davao

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2022): Casilao arrest ‘final nail in the coffin’ for Reds in Davao (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Eric John Casilao (Photo courtesy of PNP)

MANILA – The arrest and subsequent deportation by Malaysian authorities of ranking Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leader, Eric Casilao, has sealed the collapse of the New People's Army (NPA) insurgency in the Davao Region, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said Tuesday.

Casilao was arrested at the Langkawi immigration check-in counter in Malaysia last April 1 while en route to Thailand via a ferry boat using fake travel documents.

Local authorities described Casilao as one of the most notorious NPA leaders who orchestrated numerous terroristic activities in the Davao Region.

He was deported to Manila on April 17.

"We thank the Malaysian authorities for their assistance in making this happen and in helping our government in its efforts to put an end to the violence perpetrated by the CPP/NPA/NDF(National Democratic Front) in the country. His arrest seals the collapse of the communist insurgency in Davao Region," Aguilar said in a statement.

Casilao is secretary of the CPP's Southern Mindanao Regional Committee and member of the party's Central Committee.

Medel said Casilao was behind the atrocities and crimes committed by the NPA in Davao Region.

Casilao fled abroad after seeing "the fall of many of the party organs and NPA units under him," Medel said.

"He abandoned his followers and flew outside the country. He was arrested in Malaysia and was deported to face his crimes here in the country," Medel said.

Casilao, who is wanted for kidnapping, serious illegal detention and attempted murder, is now under the custody of the Philippine National Police.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199595