Ex-rebel nabbed on murder warrant

A former communist rebel was arrested on a murder warrant in Barangay Mat-i, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, on 24 September, police said.

The suspect was arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit in coordination with the Surigao City Component Police Station.

The 35-year-old suspect, a resident of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, was arrested on a warrant issued by the Tandag City Regional Trial Court on 20 July 2020. The warrant carried no recommended bail.

According to a report submitted to CIDG director PMGen. Robert AA Morico II, the suspect was a former member of the Communist Terrorist Group, reportedly assigned to Sentro de Gravidad 21, Guerrilla Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army. He was listed in the Armed Forces of the Philippines' 2020 Periodic Status Report.

Police said the murder case stemmed from an incident on 14 April 2020, at about 5:45 p.m. in Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.