THE military assured on Monday it will treat well a
ranking leader of the New People's Army (NPA) while under their custody and will
be accorded fair trial.
This, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the capture of Maria Loyda Tuzo Magpatoc, alias Gwen, 52, said to be the front secretary of the Far South Mindanao Regional (FSMR) Committee of the NPA, by the authorities in a joint operation at the old terminal in Digos City on Sunday.
Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, commander of the Eastmincom, said the 39th Infantry Battalion under 1002nd Brigade, 10th ID is providing the requirements of Magpatoc while the Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office through its Children and Women's desk is assisting her needs while under custody.
Cruz said the Digos City Police Office is also preparing the documents for the filing of formal charges against her.
"This is how our justice system works. Magpatoc as the alleged over-all leader of FSMR and previously with NEMRC (North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee) could be held liable under RA (Republic Act) 9851 or Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other crimes against humanity under provisions on the Responsibility of the Superior of a non-state insurgent organization on all the atrocities/violations committed," Cruz said.
Magpatoc carries a bounty of P500,000 for her arrest based on the posters sent to police stations, and government checkpoints on wanted persons nationwide.
Captain Severino David, deputy commander and spokesperson for the AFP in Eastern Mindanao, said Magpatoc is implicated in a series of criminal activities like murder, extortion and kidnapping in the areas of Soccskasargen region and parts of the provinces of Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
David said Magpatoc was arrested by virtue of the several arrest warrants for cases ranging from murder, robbery, homicide and damage to property.
He said based on gathered information that Magpatoc also became the Front Secretary of NEMRC early 2000, onwards which also covers the areas of Surigao and Agusan.
David said Magpatoc is also allegedly a member Executive Committee of Komisyon Mindanao or Mindanao Commission, the main party organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Mindanao.
"The arrest of Magpatoc is the result not only of
the continuous intelligence operations from the various law enforcement agencies
but also from the reports of the communities to the 10th Infantry Division’s
Peace and Development Teams under Major General Ariel B Bernardo," he said.
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