2 alleged communist rebel leaders arrested in Quezon province —PNP

Two alleged leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines were arrested on Saturday in Quezon province, the Philippine National Police said on Sunday.

According to the PNP Public Information Office, the two alleged rebels had been wanted by court to stand trial for kidnapping and murder complaints.

PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas identified the suspects as Ruel "Baste" Custodio, and Ruben "Oyo" or "Miles" Istokado.

Citing reports from Calalabarzon PNP Regional Director Police Brigadier General Felipe Natividad, Sinas said the two were captured in a service-of-warrant operation.

Joint forces from the Regional Intelligence Division, Quezon Police Provincial Office, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion in Barangay Zone 3 Poblacion in Atimonan town launched the operation.

Authorities confiscated from the suspects two grenades, three handguns, and assorted ammunition.

Based on police record, the PNP said Custodio was allegedly a finance officer of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee, responsible for the collection of “revolutionary taxes” in Quezon.

He is respondent in two separate criminal cases filed in 2019 for kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms.

On the other hand, Istokado was a political instructor responsible for propaganda work for Komiteng Probinsya 1 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee.

Likewise, the PNP said Istokado is a respondent in two separate criminal cases for Double Murder and Multiple Murder filed in September 2014.

Both suspects are undergoing booking procedure and investigation in Lucena City and they will later be presented to the court. —LBG, GMA News