DAVAO CITY (May 13) — A notorious top leader of the terrorist New Peoples Army, was arrested while seeking medical treatment inside a hospital in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, Saturday morning, May 12, 2018.
The Eastern Mindanao Command, said NPA leader Elizalde Cañete was arrested at the Don Carlos Doctors Hospital, Bukidnon, after he was wounded in an encounter in Sitio Linao, Kipilas, Kitaotao. Bukidnon, on May 10.
The press release stated that the composite team from 1003rd Infantry Brigade, 403rd Brigade and Don Carlos Municipal Police Office, served Cañete’s warrants of arrest while he at the hospital.
Cañete was issued warrants of arrest for multiple murder and arson.
Cañete has been charged for numerous crimes and atrocities he committed. the military said he was the one responsible for the death of fish vendor Larry Buenafe in Mandug, Davao City sometime on May 2017 , when the NPAs burning of Lapanday Facility in the said Barangay.
Cañete, replaced slain commander Leoncio Pitao or Kumander Parago. Cañete assumed as the leader of PBC1, SMRC that covers the boundary of Bukidnon, Davao del Norte and the mountainous districts of Davao City.
Cañete’s group has been pointed responsible for burning of the multi-billion heavy equipment being used in the ongoing by pass road at Barangays Mandug and Fatima, both of Paquibato, Davao City.
The Inter-Agency group is now coordinating with the proper court for the legal processing, commitment and security procedures for the said NPA Leader.
Lt. General Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr. Commander Eastern Mindanao Command expressed his appreciation to the Inter-Agency Group on the arrest and further extended support in the prosecution of Alias Jinggoy.
“The arrest of Jingoy and his eventual prosecution will now give justice to the victims of his many atrocities particularly, to the late Larry Buenafe who was just peacefully earning a living when he was killed by an NPA-laid landmine. While he is receiving medical treatment, we will be backing up the Philippine National Police in providing security and in the eventual prosecution of his numerous cases.” Lt Gen Madrigal Jr said.
“Just like the first time that he was hospitalized in Davao City in 2010, aside from security, I also directed the units concerned to provide and facilitate necessary assistance for his recovery for him to face his charges in the proper court.” Madrigal Jr. added.
Sometime 2010, Cañete was arrested after he was seriously wounded in an encounter in Montevista, Compostela Valley, but the soldiers of the Special Forces saved him. A case was filed but he jumped bail sometime in 2013 and went back to the mountains.-Rey Nuñez/Newsline.ph
