Alleged NPA official arrested in South Cotabato

September 25, 2018

An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) official was arrested in a law enforcement operation in South Cotabato on Monday night.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command, said arrested was Ofelia Frontreras Buanhog alias Decay or Wada, the reported Front Secretary of Guerilla Front (GF) 73 and a member of the executive committee of Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR).

“Commander Decay has long been the leader of the communist terrorist operating in the Province of South Cotabato and has led the group in a number of violent atrocities and extortion activities,” he said.

Balagtey said Buanhog was arrested by the joint military and police forces in a law enforcement operation at the vicinity of Barangay Centralla in the Municipality of Surallah, South Cotabato around 9pm.

He said the suspect was apprehended through an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 26, for rebellion and violation of Section 1 Republic Act 9516 and frustrated murder.

Balagtey said Lieutenant Colonel Jones Brisal Otida, commander of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion,  attribute the successful operation to coordination of police, military and the local government of Surallah.

“The success of this inter-agency operation was made possible by an extensive coordination between the PNP, AFP and the Local Government Unit of the Municipality,” Otida said.

“This is a manifestation that it is through enhanced inter-operability of the Law Enforcers and strong support of the populace that these peace spoilers be brought to jail and justice for those they have violated be served,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS