Tipster gets P300,000 for rebel leader's arrest

CEBU, Philippines - The Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday rewarded P300,000 cash to an informant who helped in the arrest of an alleged rebel leader.

Centcom commander Maj. Gen. Armando Cunanan personally handed over the cash reward to the informant who was instrumental in the arrest of Loreto Gabuay alias “Tun-og” and “Budoy,” 60, resident of barangay Salay, Paranas, Samar, last September 23, 2008.

Gabuay has two standing warrant of arrests for robbery with homicide and frustrated homicide which were all issued by Executive Judge Sinforiano Monsanto in Catbalogan, Samar. He has been included on the “rewards list” of the authorities.

The suspected rebel leader was captured by the joint elements of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division and Samar Police Provincial Office in barangay Salay, Paranas, Samar together with his wife Beatriz Dacutanan alias “Betty.”

Gabuay only finished grade one in school sometime in 1955. He was designated the team leader of the Peasant Organizing Committee of the rebel movement.

In 1992 he was apprehended by the elements of 8th ID troopers for a case of kidnap for ransom and was detained at Samar Provincial Jail Catbalogan City, Samar.

However, he was released for insufficiency of evidence while he remained as a CT member.

Following his arrest on September 23, 2008, he was detained at Samar Provincial Jail, Catbalogan City.

Meanwhile, Cunanan describes their accomplishments in the region as “very special and commendable” for maintaining peace and order. —Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)