Cops nab NPA 'assassin' in Agusan Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22, 2021): Cops nab NPA 'assassin' in Agusan Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

ARRESTED. Authorities arrest Recson C. Precioso, 28, an alleged member of the Special Partisan Unit of the New People’s Army at a checkpoint in the Agusan del Sur town of Esperanza Sunday afternoon (Feb. 21, 2021). Precioso yielded a .357 caliber revolver, officials say. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13 Information Office)

Police have arrested an alleged member of the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the Agusan del Sur town of Esperanza over the weekend.

In a statement on Monday, the Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) identified the suspect as 28-year-old Recson C. Precioso, a resident of Barangay San Jose, Esperanza.

Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr., PRO-13 director, said Precioso was arrested at a police and military personnel checkpoint following a tip-off that an armed individual was heading their way on a motorcycle.

Authorities spotted the handle of a gun tucked on Precioso's waist, which turned out to be a .357 caliber revolver loaded with three ammunition, Caramat said.

“Precioso failed to present supporting documents such as License to Own and Possess Firearms upon verification,” he added.

A former rebel positively identified the suspect as a member of the SPARU unit of Guerilla Front (GF) 8 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), Caramat said.

The SPARU unit has long been regarded as an urban assassination unit of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The suspect will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.

“PRO-13 vows to stop any attempt of the CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) to sow violence in Caraga Region, like killing of government officials, uniformed personnel, and civilians,” Caramat said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1131491