CONTRARY to social media posts, the reported encounter in Talomo, Davao City before dawn Monday, November 26, erupted after authorities tried to serve an arrest warrant against a communist leader.
A spot report by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said a joint military and police team swooped down on the shuttered Victorio Beach Resort in Purok 10, Talomo Cemento at around 1:30 a.m. Monday to serve a warrant of arrest on a certain Jeffrey, allegedly the commander of the Pulang Bagani Command 1 (PBC1) of the communist New People's Army (NPA).
Police Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales, Police Regional Office Davao regional director, said a lookout spotted the arresting team which was composed of elements of the Philippine Army, DCPO, Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB 11), 3rd IB Philippine Army and other Philippine Army support units.
Jeffrey and his cohorts engaged the arresting team in a shootout and hurled several fragmentation grenades before fleeing the area.
Morales said Jeffrey has a standing warrant of arrest for two counts of murder, serious illegal detention, robbery in band, and attempted murder.
“Itong operation na ito ay continuation ng police operation na isinagawa sa Barangay Langub (in Maa) last October during their plan na Red October. During the operation sa Langub, hindi namin na-identify yong pangalan nila. But this time, nakilala namin yong eight sa 14 na personalities at isa na dito yong subject ng warrant of arrest na ma-implement namin na si alias Jeffrey,” he said.
There was no casualty from the government side during the encounter.
“Madilim at malawak at masukal yong loob dahil ito ay dating resort na hindi na nag-ooperate at katabi niya ay informal settler areas na maraming nakatira and they took advantage nila yong dilim sa kabilang bakod at di na namin sila na nahabol ng nakatalon sila sa bakod,” he added.
At the crime scene, the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) recovered one unit M-16 Rifle A1 bearing SN: RP 251755 loaded with one magazine with 20 pieaces of live ammunitions; one short magazine loaded with 16 live ammunitions; five pieces of Claymore Mines; two pieces Improvised Explosive Device(Anti-Personnel); assorted live ammunitions and empty shells of firearms.
Other items found were airgun and two pellet guns; batteries and electrical wires; assorted electrical tools and electrical tapes; two pieces grenade safety levers one laptop with charger; assorted USB; one cellphone (MyPhone); DVD’s and subversive documents believed belonging to the armed group. Morales said that the caretaker of the resort whom he did not identify is now being held as he is considered as persons of iterest. He is now under custody of DCPO Investigation Detection Management Branch (IDMB) for investigation.
High alert
Meanwhile, the DCPO is already in full alert together with the Army counterpart since the opening of Pasko Fiesta and they further strengthen it because of the incident.
They are presently monitoring all possible hide out of the fugitives. Morales added that possibly, the suspects are still in the area, thus, he is urging the public to be wary of their surroundings and immediately report to should they notice suspicious looking individuals lurking in their communities.
“Sa ating mga kababayan wala po tayong dapay ipag-alala dahil hindi po totoo ang narinig na ito ay miyembro ng Maute o kaya ay miyembro ng ISIS. Ito po ay mga wanted persons na subject ng police operations sa Pro 11 at kasama narin po ang kausndalohan,” he said.
Their law enforcement operation will continue in the area. They have also increased their police visibility and security through the conduct of Oplan Dabaw Kalinaw and profiling of the residents.
“Baka sakaling, isa sa mga bahay eh nandoon pa nagtago o maaring makapagbigay ng information ang taga roon at maipasa sa kapulisan. Tuloy-tuloy an gating intelligence monitoring as to their whereabouts at future activities. After the police operation hot pursuit operation,” he said.