Alleged NPA official nabbed in Sultan Kudarat

March 17, 2020

An alleged high-ranking official of New People's Amy (NPA) was nabbed in Sultan Kudarat on Monday morning.

Major Arvin Encinas,  spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command,  said arrested  was Leon Tacduro alias Paeng, known as the head of the Regional Peasant Bureau, Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR).

Encinas said Tacduro was apprehended by  troops of the 6th Infantry Battalion and PNP-Lebak at Sitio Kipopo, Keytodak, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat at 2:20am.

According to Brig. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag, Army's 603rd Infantry Brigade commander “Tacduro has a standing warrant of arrest for 3-counts of murder".

Mamawag said Tacduro was brought to headquarters of Bravo Company, 6th IB in Barangay Purikay, Lebak to undergo medical check-up, debriefing, and documentation prior to further legal dispositive action.

"He will first undergo custodial debriefing and documentation before we turn him over for proper filing of charges,” he said.

Encinas said authorities recovered one caliber 45 pistol; one homemade pistol; two fragmentary hand grenade; nine cellular phones; one digital camera; and subversive documents.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief  of the Western Mindanao Command, said the arrest of Tacduro connotes positive development in their "campaign against the communist terrorists in Central Mindanao.

"The apprehension of Tacduro will surely be of great impact in the operational capability of the FSMR in Sultan Kudarat,” Sobejana said.

“Losing one of their pillars, weakens the group, thus giving us great advantage in instigating our offensives and peaceful mechanisms in the area,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS