NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Top NPA Leader Returned to Philippines Following Arrest in Malaysia
Photo credit: 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army
Eric Jun Casilao, also known by his aliases Elian/Wally/Chan/Kuya, Secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and Central Committee member of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), was apprehended at Jeti Point International Clearance Gate, Langkawi, Malaysia, on April 1, 2023.
A joint law enforcement operation was conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Bureau of Immigration, and Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and Malaysian Immigration, which resulted in the arrest of Casilao while he was boarding a ferry bound for Koh Lipe, Thailand. Casilao was put on the Malaysian Red Notice List for falsification of passport by assuming a fake identity. After his arrest, he was detained for violating Malaysian Immigration laws and deported to the Philippines on April 17, 2023.
Casilao is known to be one of the most notorious CTG leaders in the country, responsible for orchestrating numerous terroristic activities in the Davao Region. He has existing warrants of arrest for the crimes of Murder, Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, and Attempted Murder.
In an interview with Arian Jane Ramos, former Secretary of Guerilla Front 55, she revealed that Casilao's departure from the NPA goes against the Communist Party of the Philippines' doctrine, as NPA cadres are expected to lead their people on the ground. Ramos stated that Casilao left SMRC and the country due to his inability to bear the suffering that SMRC was experiencing, leaving his comrades to face hunger and armed encounters.
Joy James Saguino, former Deputy Secretary of Sub-Regional Committee 1 of the CTG, also exposed the selfishness and treacherous behavior of NPA top leaders. Saguino stated that most of the CTG leaders are more concerned with their personal gain rather than the welfare of their followers.
MGen Jose Eriel M Niembra, 10ID Commander, expressed in a message that CTG leaders have no safe place to stay and hide, even outside the country, and that the government is determined to capture CTG leaders and terrorists wherever they are. The AFP lauded Casilao's arrest, as he was behind the atrocities and crimes committed by the NPA in the Davao Region. The AFP thanked the Malaysian authorities for their assistance in apprehending Casilao and helping the government's efforts to put an end to the violence perpetrated by the CPP/NPA/NDF in the country. Casilao's arrest is seen as a significant blow to the communist insurgency in the Davao Region.
A joint law enforcement operation was conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Bureau of Immigration, and Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and Malaysian Immigration, which resulted in the arrest of Casilao while he was boarding a ferry bound for Koh Lipe, Thailand. Casilao was put on the Malaysian Red Notice List for falsification of passport by assuming a fake identity. After his arrest, he was detained for violating Malaysian Immigration laws and deported to the Philippines on April 17, 2023.
Casilao is known to be one of the most notorious CTG leaders in the country, responsible for orchestrating numerous terroristic activities in the Davao Region. He has existing warrants of arrest for the crimes of Murder, Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, and Attempted Murder.
In an interview with Arian Jane Ramos, former Secretary of Guerilla Front 55, she revealed that Casilao's departure from the NPA goes against the Communist Party of the Philippines' doctrine, as NPA cadres are expected to lead their people on the ground. Ramos stated that Casilao left SMRC and the country due to his inability to bear the suffering that SMRC was experiencing, leaving his comrades to face hunger and armed encounters.
Joy James Saguino, former Deputy Secretary of Sub-Regional Committee 1 of the CTG, also exposed the selfishness and treacherous behavior of NPA top leaders. Saguino stated that most of the CTG leaders are more concerned with their personal gain rather than the welfare of their followers.
MGen Jose Eriel M Niembra, 10ID Commander, expressed in a message that CTG leaders have no safe place to stay and hide, even outside the country, and that the government is determined to capture CTG leaders and terrorists wherever they are. The AFP lauded Casilao's arrest, as he was behind the atrocities and crimes committed by the NPA in the Davao Region. The AFP thanked the Malaysian authorities for their assistance in apprehending Casilao and helping the government's efforts to put an end to the violence perpetrated by the CPP/NPA/NDF in the country. Casilao's arrest is seen as a significant blow to the communist insurgency in the Davao Region.
Apr 18, 2023
