Tagum City, Davao del Norte – Porferio Tuna, Jr., also known by his aliases Danny, Ampong, and Ka Simon, a high-ranking official of the communist terrorist group operating in Southern Mindanao, was apprehended during a joint law enforcement operation on October 2, 2024. The operation took place in Purok Magkidong, Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City, and was carried out by combined forces of the 1001st, 1002nd, and 1003rd Infantry Brigades, along with the Police Regional Office XI’s Regional Intelligence Division, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) XI, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) XI, and other police units.
Tuna, Jr., who held the position of 2nd Deputy Secretary and was a member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People’s Army (NPA), has been implicated in a series of violent crimes over the past decade. These include an assault on the 60th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, which resulted in the death of an officer. He is also linked to a deadly ambush on July 10, 2014, in Barangay Anitapan, Mabini, Davao de Oro, where two soldiers were killed.
In addition to these incidents, Tuna, Jr. is facing multiple criminal charges, including murder, kidnapping, serious illegal detention, robbery with violence, and attempted homicide.
Previously, Tuna, Jr. was detained at the Davao del Norte Provincial Jail but was granted bail in 2016 to participate in peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front Panel in Oslo. However, following the collapse of the peace talks, he evaded authorities by jumping bail and failed to return to court to face his charges.
Major General Allan D. Hambala, Commander of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, praised the successful joint operation, emphasizing that Tuna, Jr.’s arrest deals a major blow to the leadership of the NPA in Southern Mindanao. “This apprehension marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to dismantle the remaining forces of this terrorist group,” he said.
Authorities are now preparing for Tuna, Jr.’s legal proceedings as he is set to face the multiple charges brought against him. This arrest is seen as a crucial development in the government’s ongoing campaign against communist insurgency in the region.
