Alleged NPA top leader nabbed in CDO
The military identified the suspect as Edward Flores, also known by his aliases Cess, Ruby, Rafa, and Ramon.
According to reports, the suspect allegedly served as secretary general of the NPA's Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR), which operates under the jurisdiction of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID).
'Once a powerful figure, Flores' group has significantly weakened due to sustain decisive military operations that dismantled vertical platoon and neutralization of majority of its leaders and remaining members,' 6ID said.
The military added that the suspect also allegedly held positions previously such as Regional Urban Committee secretary, secretary of the dismantled Guerilla Front Tala, and spokesperson of the FSMR.
'The arrest of Edward Flores marks another critical blow to the already crumbling structure of the communist insurgency within the area of responsibility of the 603rd Brigade. In fact, we have already filed multiple cases against him for acts of terrorism and for recruiting vulnerable youth into armed rebellion. His capture is a major setback to their ranks and operations,' 603rd Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Michael Santos, said.
Among the charges faced by the suspect include murder filed in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; multiple attempted homicide filed in Surallah, South Cotabato; murder filed in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
During the operation, authorities confiscated a Colt .45 pistol, a fragmentation grenade, and a smartphone from the suspect.
"We will remain determined in our efforts to significantly reduce the capabilities of these terrorist criminals to harass innocent civilians. As the CTG continues to lose key leaders and more members, we will continue our pursuit until they are defeated. With the support of our civilian population and partner stakeholders under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), we will not rest until this decades-long problem is resolved," 6ID Commander, Major General Ronald Gumiran, said. —GMA Regional TV News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- GMA Network
Nearly 200 alleged rebels, NPA supporters surrender in Bukidnon
Up to 189 alleged members and supporters of the New People's Army (NPA) have turned themselves in to authorities in Quezon, Bukidnon. Police and the military facilitated the mass surrender in Barangay Butong. According to the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), among those who surrendered were 141 regular NPA members, 44 Militia ng Bayan members, and four White Area personalities. The group also turned over at least 72 assorted firearms and eight war materiel. 'Accordingly, the former rebels expressed their desire to return to the folds of the law and start a new life,' PRO-10 said. The former rebels and NPA supporters are now under the custody of the 89th Infantry Battalion for the processing of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). 'This mass surrender is proof that the unity of our security forces, local government units, and communities can bring lasting peace to our region. We welcome our brothers and sisters back to the folds of the law and assure them that the government is ready to help them rebuild their lives,' PRO-10 Director, Brigadier General Rolindo Suguilon, said. —GMA Regional TV
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
QC jeepney driver wanted for car theft in Baguio, arrested
A jeepney driver in Quezon City, by virtue of a warrant of arrest, was nabbed for alleged carnapping committed in Baguio City. According to Emil Sumangil's exclusive report on '24 Oras' on Monday, the Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and Baguio Police caught the suspect along Aurora Boulevard. Authorities confirmed that the jeepney driver, who has been wanted for four years in the Cordillera Administrative Region, has a warrant of arrest for violating the Anti-Carnapping Law. PNP-HPG spokesperson Police Lieutenant Nadame Malang said the suspect did not return the car he rented. GMA Integrated News is reaching out to the suspect for comment. In Novaliches, the PNP-HPG arrested another man for allegedly stealing at least 20 cars. 'Sa informasyon din po nakuha po ng inyong PNP-HPG, siya po ay nakadali ng di baba sa dalawampung sasakyan. Ngayon, tumutulong po ang inyong PNP-HPG para tukuyin at alamin ang lokasyon ng mga sasakyang po kanya nakuha,' Malang said. (Based on the information we gathered, the suspect stole at least 20 cars. Now, your PNP-HPG is helping identify and locate the vehicles that he stole.) Among the victims of the suspect's 'rentangay' modus is Teacher Camille, who traced her van in Tacloban City, Leyte. The suspect was able to transfer the ownership of the van to another person even though it is still being paid through installment by Teacher Camille. 'Nananawagan po ako sa LTO (Land Transportation Office), sana po ma-stop na po yun to kasi hanggang ngayon hindi po namin ma-pull out yung unit namin, kasi pinapakita po sa amin na legally transferred po yung van,' Camille said. (I am appealing to the LTO to put a stop to this, because we still haven't been able to retrieve our unit. They are presenting documents showing that the ownership of the van was legally transferred.) 'Yung ginawa po sa amin na ganito sobra, sobra aksaya oras, panahon, pera. At saka yung threat na kami po ay paulit-ulit binabalikan ng financing, dahil hindi po namin mabayaran yung sasakyan na wala naman sa amin. Sobrang hirap po, sobrang hirap,' she added. (This is a waste of time and money. And we're being threatened by the financing firm because we are not able to pay the van, which is not in our possession. It's really difficult. It's so difficult.) The suspect also stole his uncle's new pickup truck. 'Sabi niya, ginamit niya papuntang Bicol, hindi niya ibinalik (He told me he will drive the pickup truck going to Bicol, but did not return it),' the uncle said. The PNP-HPG also said the suspect releases brand new vehicles using fake identification and bank accounts. 'Dati po is legit naman po akong buy and sell, so may mga pumasok lang po sa akin na mga transactions na in-expect ko po na okay. Bandang huli po nung na-deal ko na illegal pala yung mga transactions,' the suspect said. (I used to be a legitimate buy-and-sell dealer, so I accepted some transactions that I expected to be legit. But in the end, I found out that those transactions were actually illegal.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
NBI arrests man for P320K extortion try in Albay
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday announced the arrest of a person accused of attempting to extort P320,000 in exchange for the issuance of a permit in Albay. According to the NBI, agents arrested 'Julbie' during an entrapment operation on August 8 for alleged involvement in an extortion scheme for the issuance of an ore transport permit (OTP) from the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office. The NBI said Julbie demanded P320,000 as standard operating procedure for the release of seven OTPs. He also claimed that failure to pay the amount would delay the processing of the OTP. The operation stemmed from a complaint against a certain 'Tope' for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and robbery or extortion, according to the bureau. Similarly, Tope claimed that he can help in the issuance of an OTP from the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office and that the processing of the OTP will be delayed if he is not paid. However, Tope did not make any further contact. Following this, the NBI said Julbie, who is associated with Tope, told the complainant that he will be the one to collect the payment. The NBI said tJulbie has been presented for inquest proceedings for robbery or extortion. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RF, GMA Integrated News
