TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur — Two alleged members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), ranked second and third on the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office’s most-wanted list, were arrested during a joint police operation in Barangay Malixi, Tagbina, on October 19, 2026, police said.
Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) Director Brig. Gen. Rolindo M. Suguilon identified the arrested individuals as alias “Kiami,” also known as “Ivana,” 24, and alias “Chez,” also known as “Yenyen,” “Ykoy,” or “Mermer,” 25. Both are residents of Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
According to police, Kiami/Ivana served as a political guide for Squad 3 of the Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) Westland under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Chez/Yenyen/Ykoy/Mermer, meanwhile, was identified as a member of Squad 1 of the same subregional formation.
The two were apprehended in Purok 1, Barangay Malixi, through the coordinated efforts of the 1301st Maneuver Company of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13 and the 32nd Special Action Company of the 3rd Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Unit 13–Provincial Intelligence Team of Surigao del Sur and the Tagbina Municipal Police Station.
Three arrest warrants cover murder-related offenses
Authorities said the arrests were carried out by virtue of warrants issued in connection with three criminal cases involving the two suspects.
The Regional Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region, Branch 41 in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, issued two warrants dated January 13, 2026.
The first was for frustrated murder under Criminal Case No. C-2749, with recommended bail set at ₱200,000. The second was for multiple attempted murder under Criminal Case No. C-2750, with recommended bail of ₱120,000.
Both suspects were also wanted under a separate warrant issued on June 29, 2026, by the Municipal Circuit Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region, Tago-San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. The warrant concerns direct assault with attempted homicide under Criminal Case No. 7320-T, with recommended bail of ₱18,000.
The listed bail amounts are judicially recommended amounts associated with the cases and do not, by themselves, establish guilt or indicate that the charges have been resolved.
The police announcement did not provide further details about the alleged incidents underlying the cases, including when and where the offenses occurred, the identities of any complainants or victims, or the specific acts allegedly committed by the suspects.
Police cite intelligence coordination
Suguilon credited the arrests to cooperation among intelligence and police units, describing the operation as a significant development in the region’s internal security efforts.
“This accomplishment is attributed to the strong partnership and collaboration among the intelligence community. The arrest of these two wanted CTG members is significant in sustaining the Stable Internal Peace and Security status of the Caraga Region,” Suguilon said.
The arrests add to law enforcement efforts to locate individuals facing outstanding warrants in Caraga. However, the police announcement did not specify whether the operation resulted in the recovery of firearms, explosives, documents or other evidence, or whether additional suspects were being pursued in connection with the cases.
The two individuals remain accused in the criminal cases cited by authorities. The allegations must be established in court, and both are entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process under Philippine law.