Authorities released four companions of arrested top NPA leader

by Ben Serrano

December 19. 2010 


            Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, BUTUAN CITY (PNA) - Authorities released on Saturday four companions of arrested suspected New People’s Army leader Pedro Gerana Codaste, 60. tagged by authorities as Secretary of North Central Mindanao Regional Party Committee (NCMRPC) of the CPP/NPA and is listed as number one most wanted person in Caraga Region.


In a press statement issued by Caraga Police Regional Office-13 through the Regional PNP Information Office Sunday afternoon, Norberto Maturan Espina Jr, 57, married, resident of Brgy Tungao, Butuan City,  Azarraga Bocala Eleazar, 58, married,  resident of Purok 8, Barangay Jose Rizal,  Butuan City; Eddie Pestaño Alegre, 28, married and a resident of Barangay Langihan, Butuan City and Hector Eco Camilotes, 48, married & a resident of Purok 4, Brgy Sanghan, Cabadbaran,Agusan del Norte were released after authorities found out they had no pending warrants of arrests. 


            However, Codaste who is now in the custody of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-10 Regional Office) based in Cagayan de Oro City remained in detention due to pending warrants of arrests issued against him, the press statement further said.


            Pedro Gerana Codaste alias Gonyong, 60 , married and resident of Barangay Tungao, Butuan City is the Secretary of North Central Mindanao Regional Party Committee (NCMRPC) of the CPP/NPA and is listed as number one most wanted person in Caraga Region with monetary reward that will lead to his arrest amounting to Php 400,000.00 per DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2004-11.


 Same press statement claimed the vehicle used by Codaste and companions at the time of their arrest identified later to be owned and registered in the name ofRaquel S Signo, a resident of Block 21, lot 25, Emenvil Subdivision, Butuan City was also turned over to CIDG 10.  


            Last Friday, Philippine Army and PNP operatives arrested Codaste and his four companions at checkpoint in Barangay Fili, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur. 


            The arrest was made by virtue of Warrant of Arrest order issued by Hon Pelagio B Estopia, Presiding Judge RTC 1Oth Judicial Branch 8, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon for MULTIPLE MURDER and DOUBLE FRUSTRATED MURDER docketed under Criminal Case nrs 20162-09 and 20163-09 with bailbond fixed at Php 2OO,OOO.OO each, the press statement said. 


            The five was boarding a red Isuzu D-MAX bearing plate number KEX-6O1 going to Butuan City at the time of their arrest along national highway of the said place. 


            The CPP/NPA/NDF have not issued press statement so far in the arrest of Codaste. (PNA/Ben Serrano)