THE spokesperson of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Mindanao and Komisyun Mindanao (Kommid) was killed after allegedly resisting arrest in Surigao Del Sur, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said Saturday, December 12, 2020.
In a statement, the Eastmincom said NDFP-Kommid spokesperson Alvin Loque and his companion engaged the police and troops in a gunfight in Barangay San Agustin Sur in Tandag City on Thursday, December 10, 2020. Both were killed.
Authorities were trying to serve several arrest warrants against Loque when a gunfight ensued. They have yet to identify Loque’s companion.
“Loque’s unlawful behavior and unwillingness to cooperate with the authorities in dealing with the situation peacefully had never been more apparent when he, together with an unidentified companion who also lost his life during the incident, resisted arrest by firing their guns and trading shots with the arresting authorities,” it said in a statement.
Loque had six standing arrest warrants issued by the courts of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. There was a P6-million bounty on his head.
Eastmincom said the suspect provided leadership and direction to vertical units on the ground of the organization.
“The neutralization of Alvin Loque was a big blow to the NDF-Kommid hierarchy. Such a feat brings a milestone of success, not only to the military and other law enforcement agencies but also to the people in general, in the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao. This is also a resonating win to tribal communities whose innocent and helpless members and leaders have been executed and traumatized by CTGs (communist terrorist groups) under Kommid,” the military said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said 201 members of the communist New People's Army have fallen in internal security operations since January.
It said 264 more were arrested in joint law enforcement operations by the Philippine National Police and the military.
The AFP said 7,615 fighters, militias, propagandists, and underground organization members and supporters have returned to the fold of law during the said period.
"I can confidently say that we are close to realizing our goal of totally destroying this communist armed threat by 2022," AFP Chief of Staff Gilbert Gapay said. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)