Ranking NPA leader, 3 others nabbed in Sarangani checkpoint
Mindanao Armed Conflict • 21:00 PM Thu Oct 10, 2019
1
By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
Photos courtesy of PRO-12
KORONADAL CITY – Police authorities here announced today the arrest of top regional communist leader and three of his companions during checkpoint operations in Maitum, Sarangani early Thursday.
Arrested were Nicanor Claro Pason also known as RonRon or Costan, secretary of Guerilla Front 73 of the communist New Peoples Army operating in the Soccsksargen region, Bernard Langorin Presbetero alias “Aldrin/Patong,” 47 and a resident of Miana Subdivision, Polomolok, South Cotabato; Josephine Carvajal Sumagaysay, 53, married, and Reynaldo Beringil Loyola, 47, both residents of Purok 5, Barangay Zion, Maitum, Sarangani.
Brig. Gen. Alfred S. Corpus, PRO-12 regional director, said Pason has seven warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, rebellion, arson, kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
He said Pason is one of the trusted and credible leaders of GF 73 operating in the area of Barangay San Jose, General Santos City and municipalities of Banga, Tupi, Polomolok, Lake Sebu and T’boli all of South Cotabato and Kiamba, Sarangani Province.
Brig. Gen. Corpus said Pason and his group was behind the 2016 burning one unit of Yellow Bus Lines (YBL) and passenger van plying Gen. Santos-Maitum and vice versa.
They were also believed to be behind the burning of one construction equipment in Barangay San Jose, General Santos City in the same year.
Seized from the suspects were two hand grenades, five pieces blasting caps, one cellular phone, a mobile wifi, and a back pack.
Corpus said Pason and his group were intercepted in a checkpoint at Sitio Tarucao, Barangay Kalaong, Maitum, Sarangani Province at past 6 a.m.
While the police were to inspect the flagged motorbike, Loyola who was driving the vehicle, tried to escape while Pason, one of the backriders, pulled out a fragmentation grenade from his bag prompting the police to open fire.
Pason was hit in his right thigh and was rushed to Maitum Emergency Hospital. His companions and the seized items were bought to Maitum municipal police office.
Corpus lauded the police in Maitum and the tipster who provided the police authorities with timely and accurate information.
He said the government forces will continue its intensified campaign against terrorist organizations but remain open to any communist rebels who will opt to return to the mainstream. (Edwin O. Fernandez)