GINGOOG CITY – Two high-valued military targets from the communist rebels operating in Misamis Oriental province were arrested by the joint forces of the military and the PNP in barangay Alagatan, this city.
The Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion (58IB) identified the two NPA top-ranking officials as Manuelito Satur alias Mosong, 56, and a resident of Barangay San Luis, this city, and his wife Merlyn alias Maya, a resident of Barangay Kibanban, Balingasag town in Misamis Oriental.
In a press release sent by the military, it said that the two arrested couples belong to the NPA’s Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC1), North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC).
Meanwhile, in a separate operations, the military also arrested two NPA rebels identified as Fidel Guinahon Romania, alias Johnson, of Barangay Umagos, Lagonglong town; and Floramae Llagas Domo, alias Sayros, of Barangay Quezon, Balingasag town. It was learned that both are medical staff of the rebels in SRC1, NCMRC.
Sources in the military have pointed to the Satur couple as high-value targets and they were recently tagged as most wanted persons.
The couple, the military said, were facing three counts of double murder and frustrated murder, it was learned.
During the arrest of the couple, the raiding team confiscated an M4 rifle, one M203 grenade launcher, one .45 caliber pistol with magazine loaded with ammo, 40mm grenade, 13 cellphones, power bank, SD cards, and subversive documents.
Lt Colonel Ricky L. Canatoy, commander of the 58IB said the people of Barangay Alagatan must be commended for helping the government arrest the top-ranking members of the New People’s Army, including two of their comrades.
“The people of Alagatan saw the reality that the government is sincere in helping them for their community development and I believe this is the reason why the people cooperated and reported NPA presence in their area. For that, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the people who willingly shared this vital information,” Canatoy said. – PNA
