Authorities arrested two alleged members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in separate manhunt operations conducted in Surigao City and Sison on May 16, 2026, in a major anti-terrorism crackdown led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
According to police reports, operatives of the CIDG Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit, together with the Regional Intelligence Unit 13–Provincial Intelligence Team Surigao del Norte and local police units, simultaneously carried out two separate manhunt operations at around 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in Barangay Quezon, Surigao City, and Barangay Ima in the municipality of Sison.
The operations resulted in the capture of two alleged active members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), identified only by their aliases “Loy” and “Jim.”
Police said “Loy” was arrested by virtue of warrants for two counts of Attempted Murder, while “Jim” was apprehended based on warrants for two counts of Murder. The warrants were issued by courts in Surigao City and Dinagat Islands on April 26, 2023, and January 18, 2023, respectively.
Authorities identified the suspects as active members of the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) operating under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the CPP-NPA.
Investigators said “Loy” allegedly served as Squad Leader and Commanding Officer of Squad 1, while “Jim” allegedly acted as Political Guide of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16B (SYP16B).
Both suspects were reportedly included in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Periodic Status Report for the fourth quarter of 2022 and were tagged as Municipal Level Most Wanted Persons in the municipalities of Sison and Mainit, respectively.
The CIDG said the intensified manhunt operation forms part of the Philippine National Police’s strengthened campaign against terrorism and insurgency under the directive of PNP Chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr..
CIDG Director Robert AA Morico II lauded the operating units for the successful arrest of the two alleged CTG members within a single day.
The CIDG leadership also commended CIDG Regional Field Unit 13 Officer-in-Charge Butch Ian C. Miñoza, CIDG Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit chief Darwin B. Dura, and all participating intelligence and police units involved in the coordinated operations.
Authorities emphasized that the arrests demonstrate the government’s continuing efforts to track down fugitives linked to violent crimes and insurgency-related activities in Mindanao.
“The operation underscores the commitment of the unit in pursuing and capturing fugitives and helping victims attain the justice they deserve,” the CIDG said in a statement.
The agency further assured the public that law enforcement units remain relentless in their campaign against criminality, terrorism, and armed insurgency across the country.