The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division spokesman Major Ruben Gadut said the arrested communist leaders are remnants of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) operating in Davao Region.
Arrested through a warrant of arrest issued at a local court in Compostela, Davao de Oro were Benny Flores Mendoza using aliases as Jack, Kikay, Porong, and Larry. He was the political instructor of the SMRC Executive Committee. Also apprehended were Francisco Rotol Sud-ongan with aliases Yassie, Danny, and Dino.
The operatives seized a .45-caliber pistol and a fragmentation grenade from the arrested suspects.
They are currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11 at San Pedro, Davao City.
10th ID commander Major General Allan Hambala lauded the involved units for the arrests of the said NPA members.
Hambala said the operation highlights the strong collaboration within the security sector in maintaining regional peace.
"The dwindling remnants of the SMRC are experiencing a leadership vacuum since Region 11 was declared insurgency-free," Hambala said.
Hambala assures the command will continue to intensify its Peace, Law Enforcement, and Development Support (PLEDS) operations with other sectors to prevent the resurgence of communist terrorist groups.
10th ID recorded some high-ranking NPA officials who were apprehended in joint AFP-PNP operations in the last quarter of 2024 alone.
They were Ruel Villanueva Cabales alias Aman, SMRC Secretary; Catherine Apares Guinoo , Deputy Secretary and member of the SMRC Executive Committee (EXECOM); and Porferio Tuna Jr. , the SMRC’s 2nd Deputy Secretary and Executive Committee member.
💻10th ID