A NATIONAL Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant and his wife were arrested by joint police and military forces in Bacoor, Cavite, minutes after midnight Friday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed.
Rey Casambre, 67, a member of the NDFP negotiating panel; and his wife Patricia, 65, were apprehended by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-NCR, CIDG-4A), Cavite Provincial Police Office (PPO), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Intelligence Section of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), according to Chief Superintendent Amador Corpus, PNP-CIDG director.
Rey was also tagged by the PNP as the secretary of the National Education Department of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) while rights group Karapatan-Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights said he is an executive director for the Philippine Peace Center.
Corpus said Casambre has warrants of arrest for murder and two counts of attempted murder dated November 23, 2018 issued by Judge Emilio Dayanghirang III of Regional Trial Court 11th Judicial Region Branch 32 in Lupon, Davao Oriental.
According to initial investigation, the duo were onboard a silver Toyota Vios bearing plate number XKS 821 when the arresting team collared them through “Oplan Pagtugis” and “Paglalansag Omega” in Barangay Niyog 3, Molino Boulevard, Bacoor, Cavite, at 12:10 a.m.
Corpus said authorities found in the couple’s possession a .45-caliber pistol, a bundle of electric detonating cord, various ammunition, a fragmentation grenade, two cellphones, a laptop and P6,000 in cash.
The couple was brought to the CIDG-NCR headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, for documentation and proper disposition.
Corpus said additional charges are being prepared against the couple.
He clarified that Casambre’s arrest was the result of the implementation of the warrant against him and not about his position as a consultant for the NDFP. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
