Alleged NPA leader arrested by police, military in Surigao del Sur

February 18, 2020

An alleged leader of the New People's Army (NPA) was arrested in an inter- agency law enforcement operation in Surigao del Sur Saturday night, a military spokesman said on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command said arrested was Renan Cantos, commander of a guerilla unit in Surigao Del Sur.

Balagtey said Cantos was arrested while the military and police were conducting checkpoint at the vicinity of Sitio Tagmalinaw, Brgy. Poblacion, Cagwait.

Cantos, said Balagtey, has a standing warrant of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and robbery. 

"He (Cantos) is now undergoing legal procedure for proper disposition," he added.

Balagtey said Cantos was the 10th NPA leader neutralized in Eastern Mindanao this year.

He said a regional NPA head was also killed in Makilala, North Cotabato on February 14, 2020. Robina Asido/DMS