NDF-Mindanao official killed

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the National Democratic Front (NDF) was killed in an alleged shootout with government troopers in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur yesterday.

Alvin Luque, spokesman for the NDF in Mindanao and a member of the rebel group’s Komisyon Mindanao executive committee, fired at law enforcers serving an arrest warrant at a resort in Barangay San Agustin Sur at about 1:15 a.m., Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said.

Luque and his companion, who has yet to be identified, died at the scene.

The government had offered a reward of P6 million for the arrest of Luque, who was wanted for kidnapping with serious illegal detention, attempted murder and human trafficking.

A caliber .45 pistol, a fragmentation grenade, 500 rounds of ammunition and bomb materials were reportedly recovered from the fatalities.

“The PNP leadership has made it a point for our units to give premium on our law enforcement functions in our drive to run after wanted criminals and other lawless elements,” Sinas said.

The military had earlier claimed that Luque was among more than a hundred members of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee  of the New People’s Army killed in a clash in Andap Valley, also in Surigao del Sur, in May.

Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. clarified that Luque was only wounded in the encounter at the time.

“This time Luque is really dead. There are those who can attest it was really Luque this time,” Faustino said.

He said the Caraga police and the Army’s 401st Brigade participated in the operation. – Edith Regalado, Ben Serrano