In a statement, Brig. Gen. Jose B Vizcarra, assistant division commander, said they believe that Regenaldo Alicaba, a.k.a. Emong and Alex, had committed more crimes including acts of terror.
Alicaba, alleged deputy secretary of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 33 in Southern Mindanao, was arrested at JP Laurel Street in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. He was arrested after a tip-off from local residents.
The Army said the alleged rebel leader has warrants of arrest for cases filed in the courts of Nabunturan in Compostela Valley, Tagum City, Kapalong-Talaingod in Davao Del Norte, and Davao City.
He has been charged with murder, robbery in band, robbery with homicide, robbery with violence against person, arson, kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
The suspect was presented to a court in Nabunturan a day after he was turned over to the 11th Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao City.
Vizcarra said the Army will continue their search for rebel leaders and members in the Davao provinces “to make them accountable for the crimes they committed against the people.”
At the time of his arrest, Alicaba reportedly carried two fragmentation grenades, an improvised explosive device and ‘subversive’ documents.
The statement said Alicaba was with his 26-year-old daughter Rizalyn when he was arrested.
Rizalyn allegedly told authorities she was once trained in 1998 by the NPA to be part of a medical team of Guerilla Front 33 led by his father.
She also reportedly admitted having treated many members of the front who were wounded in encounters with the Army in Compostela Valley.
In 2004, she decided to leave the rebel movement to attend to her children, the statement added.
The Army released Rizalyn after they found out no case has been filed against her. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)