BUTUAN CITY — Authorities have arrested a suspected female member of a communist terrorist group believed to be involved in several violent attacks in Misamis Oriental, following intensified manhunt operations of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the PNP reported Sunday.
In line with the directive of Acting PNP Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. to sustain the campaign against terrorism, CIDG-Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Unit, backed by territorial police units and in coordination with Police Regional Office 10, apprehended the suspect around 2:40 p.m. on December 23 in Barangay Bancasi, Butuan City.
The arrested individual, identified only by her alias “Jai,” 26, married, and a resident of Purok 1, Barangay Farmbugas, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, was captured by virtue of two warrants of arrest—one for Rebellion or Insurrection under Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code issued by a Gingoog City court on August 21, 2021, and another for violation of Section 4(c) of Republic Act 9851 (International Humanitarian Law and Crimes Against Humanity), issued in Cagayan de Oro City last February 28, 2022.
According to the CIDG report submitted to Acting Director PMGEN Robert AA Morico II, “Jai” is a listed member of the Medical Unit of Sandatahang Digma Group Samsung, Guerrilla Front Huawei, Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SR-1) under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). Her name appears in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Periodic Status Report on insurgent personalities.
Investigators further disclosed that the suspect was allegedly involved in several attacks attributed to communist insurgents in Claveria, Farmbugas, and Lagonglong towns in Misamis Oriental. Among these is the 2017 torching of two 10-wheeler trucks owned by Del Monte Philippines in Barangay Don G. Pelaez, Claveria — a case classified by authorities as a terroristic act.
CIDG leadership commended PCOL Jonathan B. Papay, Regional Chief of CIDG RFU 10, and PMAJ Marc Hedssel M. Culaste, Provincial Officer of CIDG Lanao del Norte PFU, including their supporting units, for the “intelligence-driven” operation that led to the suspect’s capture.
“The arrest underscores the unit’s unyielding stance against wanted persons and significantly boosts the government’s fight against terrorism,” the CIDG said in a statement.
The PNP assured that the CIDG will remain relentless in tracking down criminals and fugitives nationwide. “The CIDG is dauntless. The CIDG means business,” it declared.