Cops file robbery charges vs. NPA leader in Surigao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 3, 2022): Cops file robbery charges vs. NPA leader in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

Google map of San Miguel town, Surigao del Sur.

The Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) has filed robbery charges against a New People's Army (NPA) leader.

Col. Joseph Boquiren, SDSPPO director, identified the suspect as Roderick Bensing Maco, the platoon commander of Sub-Region Sentro de Grabidad 21 Westland of the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

“Maco was involved in a robbery in band that transpired on April 28, 2022 in Barangay Siagao, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur,” Boquiren said in an interview Thursday.

He said they filed the case before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on May 30.

At the height of the election campaign on April 28, Boquiren said the NPA insurgents under Maco forcibly broke into the house of San Miguel Vice Mayor Rolmar Basalan, a mayoral candidate in the area.

The rebels searched the house of the victim and took a .45-caliber pistol and an airsoft gun.

Basalan's wife also told police that before the incident, the NPA rebels called them and demanded “permit to campaign” fees.

She said they refused to give in to the demand of the guerrillas.

Boquiren assured the police that they will launch a manhunt as soon as the arrest warrant against the suspect is issued by the court.

The Communist Party of the Phili[ppines -NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1175714