Couple suspected to be NPA members arrested by CIDG

A couple suspected to be members of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) responsible for the kidnapping of military men in June 2013 have been arrested in General Santos City.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday afternoon arrested Regina and Edgar Patulombon who had standing warrants for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, Police Director Benjamin Magalong said on Tuesday.

Magalong, in a statement, said Regina was the chair of medical team of the southern Mindanao region of the communist armed group.

Magalong said the operatives arrested the suspects in Lanton in Barangay Apopong.

Recovered from the CNN members were a .38-cal. revolver and two fragmentation grenades.

Meanwhile, the CIDG also arrested in separate operations on the same day two most wanted fugitives in Davao Oriental and Mimaropa Region.

CIDG Eastern Mindanao personnel collared Reymundo Escamillan by virtue of a warrant of arrest for violation of the Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Escamillan is the No. 7 most wanted person in Davao Oriental.

In Busuanga, Palawan, elements of CIDG Region 4B arrested Christian Bello, No. 8 most wanted person in the region, in Barangay (village) Bogtongon for murder.

The arrested suspects are currently are locked up in the detention facilities of the operating teams.