Alleged NPA officer arrested in Davao de Oro

April 15, 2020

Government forces apprehended an alleged New People's Army (NPA) officer on Monday  In Davao de Oro.

2nd Lt. Kim Carlos, civil military operations officer of the 71st Infantry Battalion, said arrested was Samuel Elemino Jr alias Sam, resident of Sitio Bonglas, Brgy Cabuyoan, Mabini who served as "supply officer of the Weakened Guerilla Front 2 (WGF2) of the NPA which operates in the municipalities of Mawab, Maco, Mabini and Pantukan, all in Davao de Oro."

Carlos said the military and police forces were conducting active defense patrol in connection with the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) for COVID-19.

"Sam was apprehended by virtue of warrants of arrest for the crimes of robbery with homicide and multiple attempted murder with case numbers 7063 and 6966 respectively all issued in 2018 by Regional Trial Court Branch 3, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley (now Davao de Oro) with no bail bond recommended," he said.

"Samuel was involved in the armed encounter with Army’s 46th Infantry Battalion (46IB) in 2018 and with 71st IB in April 2019, in the municipality of Mabini, Davao de Oro," he added.

Carlos said the patrol was launched by the 71st IB and Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) of the police in relation to the strict implementation of ECQ for COVID-19 following the reports from civilians that the rebels continued to terrorize locals in the hinterlands.

This forced people give them food and other supplies.

"Tribal members in the municipality of Maco and Mabini earlier complained that the rebels trespassed into their ancestral domains which greatly affected the livelihood of the locals," he said.

Sam is in the custody of the  police. and the 71st IB will give whatever assistance may be extended to his family. Robina Asido/DMS