NPA leader wanted for murder arrested in Surigao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 24, 2023: NPA leader wanted for murder arrested in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

NPA LEADER FALLS. Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, director of the Police Regional Office 13 (Caraga), bares Friday (March 24, 2023) the arrest of Bernelito S. Crido, 35, a platoon leader under the communist New People’s Army Guerilla Front 19B. The suspect is wanted for three counts of murder and frustrated murder charges. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13)

BUTUAN CITY – A communist New People’s Army (NPA) commander wanted for murder and frustrated murder charges was arrested in Surigao del Sur, a top police official said Friday.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 (Caraga) identified the arrested suspect as Bernelito S. Crido, a platoon leader under NPA Guerrilla Front 19B.

Crido, 35, has three pending arrest warrants for murder and frustrated murder charges.

Labra said he was apprehended on Wednesday evening by police operatives in Barangay Payasan, Lianga town.

He said the suspect also faces additional charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition after a loaded .45-caliber pistol was recovered from his possession.

“The arrest of Crido gave us another remarkable advantage on our stepped-up legal offensive against the NPA in the region,” Labra said.

He said Crido was involved in the killing of two militiamen and a soldier and the wounding of another militia under the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion during an encounter in Barangay San Isidro, Lianga on Nov. 6, 2017.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198116