By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – Nineteen wanted persons were arrested during intensified manhunt operations conducted by the different stations and units of the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) over the weekend.
In a statement on Monday, PRO-13 said that of the total number of arrests, eight were considered most wanted individuals in the provinces.
Data provided by PRO-13 indicated that seven wanted persons were apprehended in Butuan City during the operations, three arrests were recorded each in the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur, two arrests in Dinagat Islands, and one in Surigao del Sur.
Among those arrested was alias Kenny, the former vice commanding officer of the Regional Operational Command and the political adviser of the Regional Sentro De Grabidad of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The suspect was arrested on Oct. 17 in Purok 5, Villa Kananga, Butuan City, by joint operatives of PRO-13 and the Philippine Army.
Alias Kenny has arrest warrants for frustrated murder, attempted murder, and robbery issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 28 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
“The intensified law enforcement operations across the Caraga Region aim to safeguard peace-loving and law-abiding Caraganons from criminal threats. The PNP Caraga remains committed to ensuring peace, order, and security in the region,” PRO-13 Director Brig. Gen. Rolindo Suguilon said in the same statement.
He said PRO-13 is also working with other agencies to strengthen efforts to arrest wanted NPA rebels and supporters.
“This is to sustain the Stable Internal Peace and Security status of the Caraga Region and ensure that there will be no resurgence of NPA movement in any part of the region,” he added. (PNA)
