Cops, Army nab rebel wanted for arson

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 29, 2020): Cops, Army nab rebel wanted for arson (By Jemin B. Guillermo)

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 29 (PIA) -- Combined forces of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army successfully arrested a member of the Communist-Terrorist Group for the crime of arson.

The combined elements of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, Escalante City Police Station, Toboso Municipal Station, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6, and Philippine Army's 79th Infantry Battalion and Military Intelligence Battalion nabbed Dandy C. Jimenez alias “Don-don” on Sept. 28 at Brgy. Mabini, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

Jimenez is 39 years old, married and a resident of San Jose, Toboso, Negros Occidental.

The arrested person has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Honorable Judge Katherine A. Go dated February 2, 2009 for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1613 (Amending the Law of Arson).

In a press release from the Police Regional Office 6 Regional Public Information Office, PRO 6 Director Police Brigadier General Rene P Pamuspusan said that Jimenez is a member of Northern Negros Front, Kilusang Rehiyon-Negros Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, CPP-NPA-NDF (KR-NCBS) operating in the 1st district of Negros Occidental.

According to reports, Jimenez is one of the suspects in the burning of the transloading facility of the Victorias Milling Corporation in Barangay San Jose, Toboso, Negros Occidental sometime in 2009.

Burning of properties or facilities of local businesses is a signature move of the CPP-NPA to extort money from the business owners, the media release said.

Jimenez is presently under the custody of Toboso Municipal Police Station and is scheduled to be turned over to the court concerned.

Pamuspusan recognized the operating team for the successful manhunt operation against the subject local terrorist.

“In line with the program of the government to end local communist armed conflict, one of our priorities is the arrest of CPP-NPA personalities wanted for crimes,” Pamuspusan said.

He added “But as I have stated earlier, we encourage them (CPP-NPA members) to surrender instead, so they could enjoy the benefits from the government and start living peacefully with their families.” (PIA6/PCol.JJMalong/PRO6-RPIO)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054608