JOINT police and military forces captured a high-ranking communist insurgent leader ranked as the Caraga region’s Top 2 Most Wanted Person during a targeted law enforcement operation in Barobo, Surigao del Sur, on September 5.
The suspect, identified by the alias “Jepoy,” 53, was apprehended at around 9:15 PM in Barangay Sudlon.
Authorities identified him as a former political instructor for the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Southland under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).
The joint operation was spearheaded by the Barobo Municipal Police Station alongside the Regional Intelligence Unit 13, the PNP Special Action Force, the Army’s 41st Military Intelligence Company, the 1st Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, and regional police intelligence units.
The suspect was arrested on the strength of multiple warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region, Branch 28 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
He faces severe criminal charges, including three counts of murder with no bail recommended, two counts of frustrated murder with bail set at ₱200,000 each, and two counts of attempted murder with bail recommended at ₱100,000 and ₱120,000, respectively.
Officers informed the suspect of his constitutional rights during the arrest, which was fully documented using body-worn cameras.
He is currently held in the custody of the Barobo Municipal Police Station for documentation and court reporting.
Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office Director PCol Jeffrey Lawrence D. Mauricio commended the operating teams for their intelligence-driven coordination.
Mauricio noted that the arrest delivers justice to victims of rebel violence and brings the province closer to achieving lasting peace.
