Butuan City / Surigao del Norte – January 26, 2026 — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has arrested four former members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in a series of coordinated manhunt operations in Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte, more than six years after they were accused of attempting to kill government troops during an armed ambush.
Arrested were aliases “Ejoy,” “Baloy,” “Pedro,” and “Maya,” all farmers, of legal age, and residents of Agusan del Norte. They were apprehended by operatives of the CIDG Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit and the CIDG Butuan City Field Unit on January 15 and January 22, 2026, by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest for Multiple Attempted Murder issued by a Butuan City court on July 22, 2019.
According to a report submitted to PMGEN Robert AA Morico II, Director of the CIDG, the suspects are former members of Squad 1, Platoon 1, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad, WESTLAND of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA). They were previously listed in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Periodic Status Report (PSR) for the 3rd Quarter of 2021 and ranked as Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 on the Provincial Most Wanted Persons list of Surigao del Norte.
Authorities said the charges stem from an alleged ambush on April 16, 2019, at around 10:00 a.m., in the vicinity of Sablayan Falls, Barangay San Antonio, R.T.R., Agusan del Norte. The four suspects, along with five other armed companions reportedly led by alias “Dongcoy/Macoy,” allegedly opened fire on government troops conducting a combat patrol operation using high-powered firearms. The attack resulted in injuries to members of the government forces.
CIDG records show that Ejoy and Baloy were first arrested by CIDG Surigao del Norte on January 15, followed by the arrest of Maya by CIDG Butuan City on the same date. Pedro was apprehended in a follow-up operation on January 22. Of the nine accused, four are now in custody, while manhunt operations continue against the remaining five fugitives.
The CIDG said the intensified operations are in line with the focused program thrust of PNP Acting Chief, Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., aimed at neutralizing wanted persons and strengthening the government’s campaign against terrorism.
CIDG leadership commended PLTCOL Butch Ian C. Miñoza, Regional Chief of CIDG Regional Field Unit 13, as well as the teams of CIDG Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit and CIDG Butuan City Field Unit, led by PLTCOL Darwin B. Dura and PCPT Voltaire S. Quezada, respectively, for what it described as a “coordinated, intelligence-driven operation.”
“This successful capture underscores the CIDG’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims and reinforcing the rule of law,” the agency said in a statement, adding that it remains relentless in pursuing criminals and fugitives nationwide.
“The CIDG means business,” the statement concluded, as authorities vowed to sustain operations until all remaining suspects are brought before the courts.