THE CRIMINAL Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two leaders of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)—including Surigao del Sur’s No. 7 Provincial Most Wanted Person—during an evening manhunt operation in Barangay Tagongon, Tagbina town on Aug. 21.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 21, operatives of the CIDG Surigao del Sur Provincial Field Unit, led by PCPT Raphael Nicanor D. Hachuela, joined forces with the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) and the Tagbina Municipal Police Station to serve simultaneous arrest warrants in Barangay Tagongon.
The joint operation resulted in the capture of key insurgents belonging to the Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravity Westland, under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee Both suspects are listed in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Periodic Status Report for 2026.
Police identified the primary target as alias Lando, listed as the No. 7 Provincial Level Most Wanted Person in Surigao del Sur. He was captured by virtue of multiple outstanding warrants issued by regional courts in Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur between 2021 and 2026.
His charges include: Violation of Republic Act No. 11479 (The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020), Republic Act No. 9851 (Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity), frustrated murder, and direct assault with attempted homicide.
Also arrested was alias Pedro, a vice squad leader for SRSDG Westland, for direct assault with attempted homicide issued by a Surigao del Sur court on June 29, 2026.
The Surigao del Sur arrests coincided with a separate CIDG operation in Luzon on the same day.
In Barangay Parista, Lupao, Nueva Ecija, CIDG Ifugao operatives arrested a former member of Kilusan Larangang Guerilya (KLG) North Abra, identified as alias Juan, for illegal firearms possession (PD 1866 as amended by RA 8294) and attempted homicide.
CIDG regional chief for Caraga (RFU 13) PLTCOL Butch Ian C. Miñoza and RFU 14 chief PLTCOL Brendon B. Palisoc praised the operating field units for the swift execution of the warrants.
