Suspected Red leader killed in alleged fight with cops, soldiers

DAVAO CITY –– A suspected leader of communist rebels in Southern Mindanao was killed Wednesday (Feb. 6) in Butuan City after allegedly fighting with law enforcers, who were out to arrest him for common criminal charges.

The military’s 5th Civil Relations Group (CRG) based here said Manuel Gilo, also known as Jino and Saldo, fired at a joint team of police and soldiers as they served arrest warrants for homicide and robbery in Barangay 15 San Ignacio.

Judge Hilarion P. Clapis Jr. of the Nabunturan Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Davao de Oro issued the warrants.

The military said Gilo handled finance and intelligence duties for the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the communist movement.

After killing Gilo, authorities seized a caliber .45 pistol, its magazine and seven bullets, a motorcycle, a mobile phone, and a laptop.

A CRG news release claimed that Gilo was involved in “numerous violent atrocities targeting military personnel and civilians.”

Among others, the military tagged Gilo in the killing of Ruben Labawan, an anti-communist Lumad leader, and various attacks against private businesses in Mindanao in the last five years.

Edited by Lzb