3 militant leaders yield firearms in Tondo raid

FILE: LEGITIMATE OPS. NCRPO chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas (right) on Tuesday (Nov. 5, 2019) shrugs off claims of militant group Karapatan that the firearms seized from a search warrant operation at the office of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Tondo, Manila are planted. Aside from firearms, three militant leaders were arrested in the operation. (PNA photo by Lloyd Caliwan)

MANILA — Three leaders of an activist group were arrested in a police operation in Tondo, Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Tuesday.

Based on the report from Manila Police District (MPD), NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas identified the suspects as Ram Carlo Bautista, Alma Estrada Moran and Reina Mae Asis Nasino.

The three were arrested in a search warrant operation at the office of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Barangay 183, Tondo, Manila at around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday for violation of Republic Act 10591, also known as Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) together with the local police.

Recovered during the search were assorted firearms and ammunition including a bushmaster caliber 5.56 xm15-E26, two short magazines for 5.56 mm, 45 pieces live ammunition for caliber 5.

56 mm, a colt MK4 Series 80 .45-caliber, a colt automatic .45-caliber and two hand grenades.

Several cellphones and laptops were also among those seized during the operation.

The arrested persons were brought to the CIDG office in Manila for booking, documentation and filing of appropriate cases.

Sinas, meanwhile, shrugged off the “usual alibi” of communist front groups that the pieces of evidence recovered during the operation were planted.

“They could always claim it. Pero (But), you know, magtanim ka ng M16 na (If you plant an M16) bushmaster, you know how much is that? Tsaka isang (And a) colt? That is their alibi and so be it. Anyway, our investigators are doing fine and we will be filing a case. Then, they could have it as defense in the court,” Sinas told reporters in a press briefing held at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Tuesday.

Sinas also said applying for a search warrant means that the operation is legitimate.

“Maganda nga ito, nag-apply ng search warrant, ibig sabihin focus talaga (ang operation). Ibig sabihin, verified (ang information). Hindi lang basta umakyat at kumpiskahin. (This is good because if we apply for a search warrant, it means there is a focused operation. It means there is verified information. You don’t just go in there and confiscate everything). It’s much better. Anybody who will be reported as possessing unlicensed firearms which we consider as loose firearms, then any of our units can apply search warrants for them,” he added.

The Metro top cop also said that most of the rebel leaders are staying in urban areas.

“Nandito pa ‘yung mga leaders ng mga underground movement. Wala man silang firearms na dini-display but meron silang mga backpack (The leaders of the underground movements are still here. They have no firearms on display but they have backpacks).

We do not know what are their plans kaya nga nag-i-implement tayo ng (that’s why we implement) search warrant to arrest certain people. Wala sa bundok ang mga leaders, nasa city ang mga leaders, takot lang ng mga yan pumunta sa bundok (Their leaders are not in the mountains, they are in the city. They are just afraid going to the mountains),” he explained.

For his part, PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the series of arrests of militant leaders and members only shows the rule of law and criminal justice system at work.

“The PNP performs its mandate to enforce the law following established procedures with utmost respect for human rights,” he told reporters in separate interview when asked if there is a crackdown on activist groups in the country.

“We assure the public that the PNP remains alert and vigilant to prevent occurrence of crimes and ready to respond to any emergency, calamity and call for assistance,” he added.

On Monday, PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa challenged communist-front organizations to prove in court the pieces of evidence found during last week’s raid in their offices in Bacolod City were planted.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.