A WANTED platoon leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) failed to outsmart authorities when he was arrested for using fake COVID Contact Tracing System (CCTS), which he presented at a checkpoint in Bararangay Saravia of Koronadal City in South Cotabato province last April 15.
The South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (SCPPO) identified the arrested high-ranking NPA leader as Gemar Gecana alyas Oyen, 36 years old and resident of Barangay Malabuan, Makilala town, Cotabato province.
A SCPPO statement said that Gecana was on a passenger vehicle when accosted with other passengers at a checkpoint upon entering Koronadal.
The suspect showed his CCTS card that was, according to the police, bearing the signature of Police Colonel Jemuel F. Siason, the SCPPO provincial director. Already suspicious that the CCTS card was fake, Gecana was brought to the 1st South Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company for investigation.
It was found out that Gecana, who was wanted for two counts of attempted murder, and Oyen, wanted by being an NPA leader, is one. Gecana has an arrest warrant issued by Judge Henelinda Molina-Diaz of Regional Trial Court Branch 61 in Kidapawan City.
SCPPO statement said that they have been looking for Oyen, the Platoon Leader of Guerrilla Front 73-DAGUMA of Far South Mindanao Regional Committee (FSMRC). the same statement say that he was also the former commanding officer of FSMRC’s Guerilla Front 72-ALIP.
Gecana himself admitted that his unit’s operations were focused in the towns of Palimbang, Lebak, Kalamansig, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Bagumbayan and Esperanza in Sultan Kudarat.
“We convince rebels to lay down their arms and enjoy the benefits the government is extending to them, but we will also not hesitate to arrest those who refuse, and they must face the charges against them in courts,” Siason said.
The police detained Gecana while waiting to be brought to RTC Branch 61 in Kidapawan City.
