TWO NEW People’s Army (NPA) members with outstanding warrants of arrest for murder and rebellion were arrested in Malagos, Baguio District, on Sept. 29 at around 3:59 p.m.
Captain Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson for the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), identified the former rebels as Renato Cervantes Lubguban, 53, residing in Sitio Napo, Barangay Paquibato Proper, and Nelson Tala-Tala Bautista Jr., 40, residing in Nursery Site, Kidapawan City.
Lubguban was wanted for three counts of murder. He was formerly associated with the Pulang Bagani Command (PBC1) of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC). Meanwhile, Bautista Jr. faced charges of rebellion or insurrection (RPC Art. 134).
According to the report, at approximately 3:50 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2024, personnel from the Baguio Police Station, led by Major Janus Macli-ing, in conjunction with Col. Christopher Bermudez (RID), the DCPO Intelligence Unit, Lt. Col. Alfredo Miguel, the 2nd City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) led by Lt. Col. Noel Asumen, RIU 11 Major Jocyviel Zamora, Major Lisandro Bernardo (acting station commander, Baguio), and the 1003rd Brigade Military Intelligence, served the warrants of arrest.
Tuazon clarified that Lubguban had three counts of murder with the following case numbers: CC# R-DVO-22-05123-CR, R-DVO-22-05135-CR, and R-DVO-22-05136-CR.
These warrants were issued by Judge Marie Estrellita Suya Tolentino-Rojas of Branch 17, RTC XI, on April 19, 2023, and were non-bailable.
Bautista’s warrant of arrest was for rebellion or insurrection (RPC Art. 134), with a recommended bail bond of Php 200,000 for the crime of Robbery by a Band (Criminal Case No. R-DVO-22-05155-CR). This warrant was issued by the same judge on Oct. 22, 2022.
The warrants were served at the 1003rd Brigade in Malagos, Baguio District. The arrested individuals are currently in the custody of the 1003rd Brigade for proper disposition.
