Casilao, who carries the name of aliases as Elian, Wally, Chan, and Kuya, was the Secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and Central Committee member of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).
Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman Major Mark Anthony Tito in a press conference Monday afternoon (April 27) said Casilao was arrested at Jeti Point International Clearance Gate, Langkawi, Malaysia.
Tito said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) conducted a joint law enforcement operation with the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and Malaysian Immigration that resulted in the apprehension 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 his passport by assuming a fake identity. Likewise, after his arrest, Casilao was detained for violating Malaysian Immigration laws and deported to the Philippines on April 17, 2023.
Casilao is one of the most notorious CTG leaders as he orchestrated numerous terroristic activities in the Davao Region. He has existing arrest warrants for murder, kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and attempted murder.
Arian Jane Ramos, former Secretary of Guerilla Front 55 in a report ftom 10th ID said that they thought Casilao was in the other adjacent regional committees within the country.
“As an NPA cadre, leaving one's NPA unit goes against the CPP's doctrine. How much more leaving the country? NPA cadres are expected to lead their people on the ground. However, in the case of Casilao, he left SMRC and the country because he could not bear the suffering that SMRC was experiencing. He left, thinking only of saving himself, and leaving his comrades to either die of hunger or in armed encounters,” she added.
Joy James Saguino, former Deputy Secretary of Sub-Regional Committee 1 of the CTG also exposed NPA top leaders' selfishness and treacherous behavior. "While the organization continues to wage its decades-long insurgency in the Philippines, it is clear that most of its leaders are more concerned with their personal gain than with the welfare of their followers," Saguino said.
Major General Jose Eriel M Niembra, 10ID Commander said that CTG leaders have no safe place to stay and hide, even outside the country.
“The government is determined to capture CTG leaders and terrorists wherever they are,” Niembra said.
Casilao is currently detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) regional office here.
Photos from Davao City Public Information Page
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