Camp Col. Rafael C. Rodriguez, Butuan City – Joint operating troops from Intelligence Group of Philippine National Police, Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 and Armed Forces of the Philippines arrested another high-ranking official of the Communist Terrorist Group who is listed as number 7 on the Priority Target of PNP Caraga during a successful joint PNP-AFP operation conducted in Buenavista this evening, February 11.
POLICE BRIGADIER GENERAL ROMEO M. CARAMAT, JR, PRO13 Regional Director, reported that Rogelio Balansag de Asis a.k.a. “Dhudz”, 57 years old, resident of P2, Brgy. Matabao, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, and Regional Chairman of Pambansang Lakas ng mga Mamalakaya sa Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA), was arrested in his residence around 9:00 PM.
De Asis is the Head of the Regional United Front Committee (RUFC), Regional White Area Committee (RWAC), Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
He is one of the primary suspects of the brutal incident murdering Zaldy Acidillo Ybañez, a Lumad, and Datu Bernardino M. Astudillo, tribal chieftain, in Sitio Inadan, Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur last March 19, 2020.
The operation was launched based on the strength of Warrants of Arrest for violation of Section 6 of RA No. 9851 (Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity) with Criminal Case Number 8111-20 and for the crime of murder with Criminal Case No. 8113-20, both are issued by RTC, Branch 27, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur dated July 6, 2020 with no bail recommended.
“The hunting of wanted CTG members is in line with the marching orders of the Chief, Philippine National Police, POLICE GENERAL DEBOLD M. SINAS, to stage more aggressive police operations focused on most wanted persons and members of the terrorist group with standing warrant of arrest to ensure the safety and security of the people,” PBGEN CARAMAT, JR said. (PMAJ. Dorothy M. Tumulak, RPIO)
