28/10/2026
PSR-LISTED COMMUNIST TERRORIST ARRESTED IN AGUSAN DEL SUR FOR KIDNAPPING, SERIOUS ILLEGAL DETENTION
The Philippine National Police, under the leadership of Chief, PNP PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., arrested a Periodic Status Report (PSR)-listed Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) member in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, on October 20, 2026, in an operation targeting individuals wanted for serious crimes.
The arrested individual, known by the alias Bernie, was apprehended in Barangay Tandang Sora during a counterinsurgency operation in which personnel of the 3rd Special Action Battalion, Special Action Force (3SAB, SAF), provided tactical support to the 1304th Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13, and other PNP units. The individual was listed under the Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda SIKOP, Guerilla Front 4A, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, as of the first quarter of 2021.
The arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued on August 30, 2023, by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 7, 10th Judicial Region, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. Esperanza Municipal Police Station, Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office, took custody of the arrested individual for documentation and proper disposition.
PGEN Nartatez emphasized the importance of holding wanted individuals accountable through lawful police action. “We will relentlessly pursue individuals wanted for serious crimes and ensure that they face the legal consequences of their actions.”
He also underscored the importance of protecting communities from armed threats. “Karapatan ng bawat Pilipino ang mamuhay nang ligtas at mapayapa. Hindi tayo titigil sa pagtugis sa mga lumalabag sa batas at naglalagay sa panganib sa ating mga komunidad.”
The arrest supports the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which strengthens law enforcement efforts against security threats and helps protect communities.
As the PNP intensifies efforts against insurgency and strengthens accountability under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it remains committed to “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)
