SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Philippines — Authorities arrested three individuals listed in the PSR as members of a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) during a joint counterinsurgency operation in the municipality of Placer, Surigao del Norte.
The suspects, identified by their aliases “Nico,” “Nik,” and “Jez,” were apprehended through a coordinated effort involving personnel from the 1st Special Action Battalion (1SAB), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit, and the Placer Municipal Police Station under the Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office.
Police said the arrests were carried out by virtue of standing warrants of arrest issued by the court for several criminal cases. These include Multiple Attempted Murder under Criminal Case No. CR-2022-85 dated May 25, 2021; Multiple Attempted Homicide under Criminal Case No. 3961 dated November 26, 2021; and Attempted Murder under Criminal Case No. 15414 dated April 16, 2021.
Authorities confirmed that the three suspects are included in the PSR list under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee for the first quarter of the current year, indicating their alleged links to insurgent activities in the region.
Following their arrest, the suspects were turned over to the CIDG Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit for proper documentation and disposition, while legal proceedings related to the cases against them are expected to continue.
Police officials said the successful operation reflects the intensified efforts of law enforcement agencies to pursue individuals facing charges related to violent crimes and insurgency-linked activities. They added that coordinated operations among specialized police units and local police stations remain crucial in strengthening security and maintaining peace and order across communities in Surigao del Norte.