POLICE are investigating a drug suspect they arrested last May 3 for his possible link to the New People's Army (NPA) after they recovered from his possession some personal effects of a policeman who died in an ambush by the rebels.
The operation, led by Talakag Municipal Station, was carried out through two search warrants against suspect Arnel Lopez Armodia, 43, for dealing with illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms.
Police Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao spokesperson, said Armodia could be a member of the communists after several NPA-related materials were seized from him.
Seized from Armonia were police identification (ID) card, driver's license, unified multi-purpose ID, police pay slip, and ID pictures belonging to Senior Police Officer (SPO) 2 Arnel Carillo, who died in an NPA ambush in KM 28, Barangay Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon last November 9, 2017.
Different patches and name cloth of SPO2 Carillo were also confiscated, along with two army upper camouflage uniforms, a backpack, six pairs of boots, a flash drive, subversive documents of the NPA, and mission order letter of Private First Class Ruben Gomez of Army's 1st Special Forces Battalion.
Also recovered were a big sachet of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and six other small sachets, drugs paraphernalia, two 40mm M203 ammunition, 23 pieces caliber 30 M1 garand rifle ammunition, 33 pieces of 9mm ammunition, one carbine rifle ammunition, three clips of M1 garand rifle ammunition, five pieces of mobile phones and chargers, including two power banks, and a flashlight.
At present, Armodia is detained at Talakag Municipal Police Station in Talakag town, Bukidnon.
Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, PRO-Northern Mindanao director, said the successful operation only showed the unwavering campaign of police against lawless elements in the region, "to make Northern Mindanao a safe place to live, work, and do business".