ILOILO CITY (PIA) — A wanted member of the communist terrorist group (CTG) and his companion was successfully apprehended on December 5, 2024 here.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) reported that a highly coordinated operation conducted at Gloryville Subdivision, Barangay San Jose in Arevalo district resulted to the arrest of alias Pendong, 74-year-old, a member of the Central Committee of the CTG and former Secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P).
Last April 21, 2021, Pendong was also designated as terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council together with 18 others. He is facing charges for murder with the use of a firearm and rebellion, with warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 21, Mambusao, Capiz, in 2014 and 2017, respectively.
Also, apprehended was alias Jofel, 42-year-old former member of the CTG and acted as a medic during his stint in the organization. He is a resident of Barangay Purok 2, Pavia, Iloilo, and will be facing charges for violating RA 10591 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition) and provisions under RA 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act) for providing material support to a terrorist organization, harboring a principal, and obstruction of justice.
Jofel initially resisted arrest and attempted to prevent the implementation of the warrant against Pendong, according to the ICPO report. Recovered from his possession was one unit of a .45 caliber Colt firearm with seven rounds of ammunition.
Both suspects are now in police custody at Iloilo City Police Station 6.
Spearheading the operation was the City Intelligence Unit (CIU), with the support of the Counter Terrorism and Insurgency Security Operations Special Operating Unit (CT & ISO SOU), RID, PRO6, RMDU, PRO6, ICPO Legal Office, ICMFC, SWAT, 301st Brigade of the Philippine Army, and other partner agencies.
The ICPO reaffirms its commitment to upholding peace and order and ensuring justice is served.
“Let us continue to uphold our mantra: ‘Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Ang Gusto ng Pulis: Ligtas Ka.’ This operation highlights the unwavering commitment of the police, with the active support of the community, in addressing threats to public safety,” said ICPO Director Police Colonel Kim P. Legada. (AAL/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo/ICPO)
