QPPO defends legality of arrest of alleged rebel

By Rowena T. Cruz Police present the arrested CTG suspect known as alias "Ka Joan" following an operation in Lopez, Quezon that al...

By Rowena T. Cruz

Police present the arrested CTG suspect known as alias "Ka Joan" following an operation in Lopez, Quezon that also led to the recovery of an M16 rifle and ammunition. (PNP Quezon Police Provincial Office)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Rejecting claims of arbitrary arrest, Quezon Police Provincial Office said the arrest of alleged communist rebel alias "Ka Joan" followed a court-issued warrant. The provincial police office also denied allegations that the operation violated due process and human rights.

Police arrested the suspect at about on June 19 in Barangay Bocboc, Lopez, Quezon under a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 62 in Gumaca, Quezon. The warrant was issued in connection with an attempted murder case pending before the same court.



In a statement, QPPO said officers implemented the warrant in accordance with established police procedures. The office added that authorities informed the accused of the reason for the arrest during the operation.

The office rejected allegations that the arrest lacked legal basis, saying officers acted under a court order and followed established legal procedures. It asserted that officers acted under a court order rather than fabricated accusations.

Authorities earlier identified alias "Ka Joan" as an alleged member of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army and a former squad leader of Platun Reymart, SRMA-4B. Police released the statement days after the arrest as public discussion over the operation continued.

Authorities conducted a follow-up operation on June 20 in Sitio Bunga, Barangay Villanacaob after intelligence efforts and community coordination led the suspect to reveal the location of hidden firearms. Officers recovered an M16 Bushmaster rifle, two magazines, 70 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and three 12-gauge shotgun shells from a hut in the area.

The office said officers complied with legal standards and human rights protocols throughout the operation. It maintained that the operation adhered to due process from the implementation of the warrant until the suspect was taken into custody.

The suspect remains in police custody and is facing the appropriate charges. The statement included a copy of the warrant issued by the court, which QPPO cited as the legal basis for the arrest of alias "Ka Joan."