2 Reds, private armed group leader fall in CIDG manhunt ops

From the Philippine News Agency (May 2, 2023): 2 Reds, private armed group leader fall in CIDG manhunt ops (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

MANILA – Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested three wanted persons -- two communist rebels and an alleged leader of a private armed group during separate manhunt operations, CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said Tuesday.

In a statement, Caramat said the CIDG Cagayan Field Unit, local police units, and the Philippine Army arrested Dennis Cabrera, 39, at his residence in Barangay Bunugan, Baggao, Cagayan on April 30.

Cabrera has standing warrants of arrest for one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder issued by a court in Aparri, Cagayan in September 2015. He is also a New People's Army (NPA) member and was a former squad team leader of the East Front Committee, Komiteng Probinsya (KomProb) Cagayan operating in Gattaran, Baggao, and adjacent municipal boundaries in Cagayan province.

On the same day, Caramat said tracker teams of CIDG Albay Field Unit, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and local police units arrested Alvin Clein Sales alias “Ambin” in Barangay Ongo, Guinobatan, Albay.

Sales has two arrest warrants issued by the Bacoor City, Cavite Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 111 for sexual assault and statutory rape.

Sales who is listed as the No. 10 Regional Most Wanted Person (MWP) in Region 5, No. 8 Provincial MWP in Albay, and No. 6 Municipal MWP in Guinobatan, is an identified supporter and aide of the Komiteng Probinsya 5, operating in Guinobatan, Albay who also serves as the eyes and ears of alias “Pete” or “Peter, the Committee Secretary.

The two accused are now under the temporary custody of their respective arresting CIDG units while waiting for their turnover and the return of their arrest warrants to the courts of origin.

Meanwhile, an alleged private armed group leader identified as 64-year-old Hamja Karim Said was arrested on April 29 in Barangay Upper Tambaking, Maimbung, Sulu for illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of explosives.

Caramat said Said’s arrest is a result of the CIDG’s Oplan Paglalansag Omega, a rigorous campaign against loose firearms.

Among the firearms seized from the suspect were a .45 caliber pistol, an M16 rifle with attached grenade launcher, M14 rifle, M16 rifle and various types of ammunition.

Investigation revealed that Said was the trusted person and right hand of alleged MNLF commander 'Pando' with standing warrants of arrest for the crime of two counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms.

“Sangkot din siya sa barilan na naganap noong Mayo 17, 2018 sa Barangay Bualo, Maimbung, Sulu kung saan dalawa sibilyan ang namatay at ilan pang sibilyan ang sugatan (He was also involved in the shooting that occurred on May 17, 2018 in Barangay Bualo, Maimbung, Sulu where two civilians died and several other civilians were injured),” Caramat said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200529