BY MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
*
CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – Police in Caraga region reported Thursday the arrest of a wounded New People’s Army (NPA) commanding officer in a hospital in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Maj. Renel E. Serrano, Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) Public Information Office chief, said the suspect identified as Joel Delahilba, 32, alias Kid/Viray, alleged commanding officer of the NPA Platoon 1, Sentro de Grabidad, Sub Regional Command of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, is now under police custody.
PRO 13 officials thanked the Surigao del Sur villagers and other concerned agencies for the arrest of the alleged NPA leader.
PRO 13 director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr. said the suspect was apprehended last Wednesday while undergoing treatment at the Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City due to gunshot wounds.
Operatives from PRO13, 9th Special Forces Company of the Philippine Army and Tagum City Police Station served the warrant of arrest to the suspect at around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, he said.
The suspect was wounded in a gunbattle with government security forces in Surigao del Sur recently.
Judge Lilibeth O. Ladaga of Regional Trial Court Branch 28, 11th Judicial Region issued the arrest warrant against him for frustrated murder and attempted murder, according to Esquivel.
“As of now, he is placed under hospital arrest,” he said. “We will make sure he receives proper medical treatment for him to fully recover. His safety and security are also our concern,” Esquivel added.
