2 ‘CPP-NPA execs’ wanted for kidnapping, murder fall in Quezon ops

MANILA, Philippines — Police have arrested in Quezon Provinces two alleged leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

In a statement over the weekend, the PNP identified the alleged rebels as Ruel Custodio or “Baste” and Ruben Istokado or “Oyo/Miles”, who were arrested in Barangay Zone 3 Poblacion in Atimonan.  They are wanted for kidnapping and murder.

The two were arrested in a service of warrant of arrest operation launched by members of the Regional Intelligence Division, Quezon Police Provincial Office and Armed Forces of the Philippines teams from 201st Brigade, 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion and 4th Intelligence and Security Unit at the house of a certain Rhodora “Dhoray” Tan, reportedly a member of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Quezon Province and known ally of Quezon Province Governor Danilo Suarez.

Confiscated from the two during the operation were two grenades, three handguns and assorted ammunition, the PNP added.

According to the PNP, records show that Custodio, who is the finance officer of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee responsible for the collection of “revolutionary taxes” in Quezon province, is the respondent of two separate criminal cases filed in 2019 for kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms.

Istokado, on the other hand, is a political instructor responsible for propaganda work for Komiteng Probinsya 1 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee. Police said that he is involved in two separate criminal cases for double murder and multiple murder filed in September 2014.

“Both suspects are now undergoing booking procedure and investigation in Lucena City before they are presented to the Court,” the PNP said.

Previously, the executive Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), in its Resolution No. 12 dated Dec. 9, said it found “probable cause that the CPP/NPA committed or conspired to commit the acts defined and penalized under Section 4 of the ATA (Anti-Terrorism Act) and hereby designates the CPP/NPA as terrorist organizations, associations or groups of persons.”

But the CPP rejected the designation, saying that it was “a precursor for heightened fascist suppression against the broad democratic forces which are being red-baited and persecuted for fighting [President Rodrigo] Duterte’s tyrannical rule and schemes to perpetuate the Duterte political dynasty.”

JPV