18 year-old 'rebel' nabbed for extorsion

An 18-year old man who claimed to be a communist rebel and who attempted to extort money from a businessman in Cagayan de Oro City was arrested in an entrapment operation at Agora, Lapasan, on Monday, December 11.

Police identified the suspect as John Mark Minister alias Elmer, a resident of Besigan, this city, while authorities withheld the identity of the victim who runs a poultry business in Bukidnon.

Authorities said the suspect introduced himself as a member of the New Peoples Army (NPA) and a member of “the notorious Minister criminal group” to extort money from the victim.

Chief Inspector Ariel Philip Pontillas, chief of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said the suspect initially asked for P700,000 from the victim but this was negotiated to P30,000.

“Giingnan namo nga dili namo kaya ang P700,000 busa nisugot siya nga P30,000 (we told him that we cannot give P700,000 and he agreed with the P30,000),’ Pontillas said.

Pontillas said the suspect threatened to burn down the victim’s poultry farm if he refuses to hand over money.

Pontillas said the suspect agreed to do the transaction at Agora, Lapasan, where he was then arrested after receiving the money.

“Kadaghan na nga higayon nga nag-threat ang suspect (The suspect

threatened the victim many times),”Pontillas said.

Police seized a hand grenade and a cellphone from the suspect.

Pontillas said the suspect was initially found to have contact with the revolutionary movement and possibly in the process of recruitment.

“Initial assessment namo naa siyay contact sa sulod gina-exploit iyang innocence nga siya gagamiton pag-collect and naa siya sa state sa recruitment (In our initial assessment, the suspect has connection inside the revolutionary movement. He was exploited and used to collect the money),”Pontillas said.

The suspect will be charged with extortion and illegal possession of explosives and may also likely face grave threat charges.

Meanwhile, five supposed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) turned themselves in to the police in Bukidnon together with their high-powered firearms on Tuesday, December 12.

The Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) yesterday presented to the media the supposed rebel returnees identified as Marlon Talisik, Rodolfo Talisik and Bebert Damasco Jr. from Casisang, Malaybalay City; and Arnel Salahag Diwangan and Mablet Timbangan of Canangaan, Cabanglasan, also in Bukidnon.

Police said the five belonged to the Section Committee (Secom) 89 of the North-Central Mindanao Regional Command.

The Talisiks and Damasco, who were members of the Higaonon tribe, surrendered last December 5 in a negotiation facilitated by Datu Jerry Magaling with the Public Safety Mobile Forces Company in Bukidnon serving as security escorts.

Police said they are allegedly involved in the extortion activities and special operations in Bukidnon in 2014 and 2015.

On the other hand, Diwangan and Timbangan, who are both from Omayamnon tribe, yielded on December 11.

They were allegedly involved in the procurement of supplies for the group and believed to be members of Secom 89 since 2016.

The former Maoist guerillas surrendered their firearms including a 5.56 caliber Mina Barret IG sniper, M14 Sniper rifle, Rifle carbine caliber 30 and at least two 12 gauge shotgun all valued around P140,000.

They said the hardships and false promises within the revolutionary movement have compelled them to surrender, even as they’re now asking the government to address their financial difficulties and socio-economic problems.

“Gikapoy nami ug wala kasabot sa mga pamaagi sa kalihukan. Naay mga pasalig nila nga motabang pero wala matuman (We are tired and we no longer understand the movement. There are promises that remain unanswered), ”they said.

Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, PRO-10 regional director, said after the five claimed to be NPA members and surrendered, the police and the military including other intelligence agencies will jointly validate their claim through the so-called order of battle.

“They are self-declared NPA members but there is validation that will be conducted with the AFP, PNP and other intelligence agencies of the government, ”Pacleb said.

Pacleb said they will check if the five have criminal records or existing warrants in courts.

Pacleb explains that once they have criminal records, there will be no recourse but to bring them to proper courts.

The former rebels will be under the custody of PRO-10 while authorities are processing the firearms.

Pacleb assured that the former NPA fighters will receive benefits including financial and livelihood assistance through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).