Monday, July 29, 2013

Military welcomes top rebel's capture

EASTERN MINDANAO COMMAND, Camp Panacan, Davao City, July 29 (PIA) The military welcomed the capture of one of the alleged top rebel leaders in country by the authorities in a joint operation at the old terminal at Barangay Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur early morning Sunday (July 28).

Lt. General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, commander of the EastMinCom assured Maria Loyda Tuzo Mapatoc will be treated well under custody and will be accorded fair trial.

He said the 39th Infantry Battalion under 1002nd Brigade, 10th ID is providing the requirements of Magpatoc while the Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office through its Children and Women’s desk is assisting her needs while under custody.

Cruz said the Digos City Police Office is also preparing the documents for the filing of formal charges against her.

“This is how our justice system works. Magpatoc as the alleged over-all leader of FSMR  and previously with NEMRC could be held liable under RA 9851 or Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other crimes against humanity under provisions on the Responsibility of the Superior of a non-state insurgent organization on all the atrocities/violations committed,” he said.

Magpatoc carries a bounty of P500,000 for her arrest based on the posters sent to police stations, and government checkpoints on wanted persons nationwide.

Captain Severino David, deputy commander and spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Eastern Mindanao said Maria Loyda Tuzo Magpatoc alias Gwen is  the alleged front secretary of the Far South Mindanao Regional (FSMR) Committee of the rebel movement.

He said Magpatoc is implicated in a series of criminal activities like murder, extortion and kidnapping in the areas of SocSarGen and parts of Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and  Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

David said Magpatoc was arrested by virtue of the several arrest warrants for cases ranging from murder, robbery, homicide and damage to property.

He said based on gathered information that Magpatoc also became the Front Secretary of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) early 2000, onwards which also covers the areas of Surigao and Agusan.
David said Magpatoc is also allegedly a member Executive Committee of Komisyon Mindanao or Mindanao Commission, the main party organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Mindanao.

“The arrest of Magpatoc is the result not only of the continuous intelligence operations from the various law enforcement agencies but also from the reports of the communities to the 10th Infantry Division’s (10th ID) Peace and Development Teams under Major General Ariel B Bernardo,” he said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

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