Member of terror group in Surigao del Sur faces 9 arrest warrants; total bail at P460,000

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A total of nine arrest warrants were issued against a wanted member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army tagged as Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) listed as the priority target of the police force in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, the police said.

According to PRO 13 director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, the manhunt operation last March 8 resulted in the arrest of Dante C. Sanchez, 46.

Sanchez is a Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU) member under Guerilla Front 19, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), the PRO 13 said in a statement issued Thursday.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Lianga, Surigao del Sur, filed warrants after charging Sanchez with four counts of murder with no bail; frustrated murder (no bail); and two counts of attempted murder.

Aside from these, the RTC of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, also filed warrants after charging him with theft and attempted murder.

Total bail for all the other bailable cases was set at P460,000.

Based on Lianga Municipal Police Station’s records, Sanchez was one of the CTG members who ambushed and killed Datu Jomar Bucales, 47, an Indigenous People Mandatory Representative.

Other victims were Alberto Belonio Dela Peña, 59, and Artemio Suazo Muldez, 53 — both members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) on October 4, 2020, in Sitio Mamparasanon, Barangay Banahao.

RELATED STORY:

10 alleged communist terrorists surrender, PNP reports

JPV