By JOAHNA LEI CASILAO, GMA News
Published January 2, 2021 5:02pm Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Saturday called for an immediate investigation on the killing of nine members of an indigenous group (IP) in Tapaz, Capiz; and the arrest of 17 others in Calinog, Iloilo by police units. “If the reports I received were accurate, the killings were done tokhang style, with State forces barging into their homes at dawn, under the pretext of serving warrants, and eventually killing them because they allegedly resisted arrest,” De Lima said in a statement. However, the group Pamanggas on Thursday said the nine were Tumandok IPs who were unarmed and non-combatants.
AFP foils CPP anniversary plenum, kills 3 rebels in Sultan Kudarat By JOVILAND RITA, GMA News
Published December 27, 2020 12:04pm Military offensives in Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao s Soccsksargen region on December 25th thwarted the Communist Party of the Philippines founding anniversary celebrations and plenum set on the 26th, and left at three rebels dead. In a statement on Saturday, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said the Joint Task Force (JTF) Central said that last Friday s offensives were timed as the CPP prepared to celebrate its 52nd founding anniversary. Photos from WestMinCom “Our troops under the JTF Central launched air and ground offensives against the communist group under Emmanuel Fernandez, a.k.a. Bobo/Ampog/Aldok,” Vinluan said.
2 alleged communist rebel leaders arrested in Quezon province PNP By JOVILAND RITA, GMA News
Published December 27, 2020 10:52am Two alleged leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines were arrested on Saturday in Quezon province, the Philippine National Police said on Sunday. According to the PNP Public Information Office, the two alleged rebels had been wanted by court to stand trial for kidnapping and murder complaints. PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas identified the suspects as Ruel Baste Custodio, and Ruben Oyo or Miles Istokado. Citing reports from Calalabarzon PNP Regional Director Police Brigadier General Felipe Natividad, Sinas said the two were captured in a service-of-warrant operation.