Top 1 most wanted NPA personality in Agusan del Norte arrested

Authorities nabbed Agusan Del Norte’s top 1 most wanted New People’s Army (NPA) personality on Sunday morning.

The top 1 most wanted communist-NPA terrorist (CNT) was identified as Joaquin Madrianon alias "Alto" or "Junjun.”

Madrianon was also listed as the top 2 overall most wanted in the province.

He was caught in his hideout in Purok Spring, Barangay Tagcatong in Carmen town by security forces from the 23rd Infantry Battalion, Police Regional Office (PRO) 13, 4th Mechanized Infantry Brigade and 402nd Infantry Brigade.

Madrianon was allegedly an intelligence officer and the current commanding officer of Special Partisan Armed Revolutionary Unit (SPARU) of NPA in CARAGA region.

He was caught in his hideout in Purok Spring, Barangay Tagcatong in Carmen town.

The suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for several murder cases and arson.

Major Ronald Putol, civil military operations officer of the Philippine Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade, said Madrianon was arrested after concerned citizens tipped them about his whereabouts.

According to Putol, Madrianon is linked to the killings of lumads in Agusan.

Madrianon was also linked to the failed ambush on Governor Angel Amante-Matba of Agusan del Norte in 2015.

Recovered from the suspect were caliber .45 pistol with 22 rounds of ammunition, one hand-grenade and a sling bag.

The arrested suspect was immediately brought to the Carmen Municipal Police Station for further investigation and proper custody. —Joviland Rita/KG/LBG, GMA News