RICARDO Manili alias “Joker,” a detained New People's Army (NPA) commander who was captured in 2016 died on Tuesday due to cardiac arrest.
According to the military, Joker, the fourth most wanted person in Caraga, was the former secretary of the terrorist NPA’s Guerilla Front Committee 4A, North Central Mindanao Command (NCMRC) and commanding officer of the Regional Operational Command, NCMRC.
Joker, 64, was arrested on May 2, 2016 while riding a van along with six companions in a checkpoint along Barangay Mat-i, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte. He has a warrant for committing several heinous crimes and human rights violations like murder, frustrated murder and two counts of multiple attempted murder. Joker led the NPA rebels when they attacked Carmen Agusan del Norte Police Station three times in the past.
The personnel of Agusan del Norte Provincial Jail brought Joker to the Provincial Hospital last January 12, 2019 but he fell into comatose later on January 15. He was transferred to Butuan Doctor’s Hospital for intensive care treatment.
Brigadier General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, said despite the crimes he committed, he was still given sufficient medical attention by the government for his recovery.
“It is not too late. I urge the NPAs to lay down their arms and return back to the folds of the law. There is still hope to start a new life together with their families. The NPAs can avail the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-clip),” Gacal said.