Most wanted person arrested in Isabela

From the Manila Times (Sep 27, 2023): Most wanted person arrested in Isabela (By Leander C. Domingo)

THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Police Regional Office in Cagayan arrested a suspect included in the national top most wanted persons list for violating the election gun ban in Isabela province, PRO2 officials said on Tuesday.

The CIDG said the suspect, identified only by his aliases as Bang, Poktong and Frank, is facing multiple cases and has a P380,000 reward from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The suspect was arrested in Echague town in Isabela for violation of the gun ban under the Omnibus Election Code and illegal possession of explosives under Republic Act 9516.

He has also been tagged by the intelligence community as the secretary of the New People's Army's Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley in Isabela.

The CIDG said two arrest warrants were also served on him for murder and robbery cases.

Authorities also confiscated from him an M16 A1 rifle and an AK-47 with defaced serial numbers; an M16 A2 POF-USA model-P-415 rifle with serial number 150188; five M16 rifle magazines; 54 live ammunition for M16 rifle; four AK-47 magazines; 99 rounds of AK-47 ammunition; two hand grenades; a grenade rifle; a binocular; and other personal belongings.

An alleged cohort, identified as Alias Ferdy, was also arrested for the violation of Presidential Decree 1829 or Penalizing Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders during the police operation.

BGen. Christopher Birung, PRO2 director, lauded the arresting forces for the successful operation which he said is a big step in suppressing insurgency and criminality in the region.

"I believe that the apprehension of Alias Bang will weaken the anti-government troops in Echague town and their nearby areas of operation," Birung said.

He said the police will never cease to exert its best effort to put an end to the insurgency problem in Region 2.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/09/27/regions/most-wanted-person-arrested-in-isabela/1911954