MANILA – Lejun dela Cruz, a nominee for the Magsasaka party-list, was arrested in Pasig City on Sunday (02 Feb 2025) in connection with a 1992 murder case.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) denied claims of abduction or assassination attempts, clarifying the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

During a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo stated that dela Cruz was apprehended on a murder warrant issued by a Las Piñas court.

Dela Cruz, a former commander of the Alex Boncayao Brigade, a notorious urban assassination unit linked to the New People’s Army, attempted to flee when police tried to arrest him. The pursuit ended in Pasig.

Dela Cruz’s team claimed he fled after plainclothes officers, who were not in uniform, attempted to stop him and fired shots. Fajardo countered, stating that it was actually dela Cruz who caused damage during his escape, crashing into several vehicles and injuring a police officer, who is now hospitalized with a fractured pelvis.

The PNP clarified that the officers were in civilian clothing as part of a discreet operation.

“It’s crucial for officers to be in plain clothes for such a warrant service to avoid compromising the mission,” Fajardo explained, adding that uniformed backup officers were present during the arrest.

Currently in the custody of the Eastern Police District in Marikina City, dela Cruz faces additional charges, including violations of the election gun ban, malicious mischief, and illegal possession of firearms. Fajardo stated that the arrest would have been smooth had dela Cruz cooperated.

In a separate matter, Fajardo confirmed that Senior M/Sgt. Timothy Joseph Virtucio, a vlogger, was placed under restrictive custody at the Police Regional Office-Calabarzon in Calamba, Laguna, after a rape complaint was filed against him. Investigations are ongoing, with the victim currently in ICU. Fajardo noted that the victim’s mental condition is unstable, and further details are pending.

ia/mmn

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently in the process of verifying reports regarding the alleged abduction of Filipino workers by suspected Hamas militants amidst a major escalation of hostilities in Israel.

According to Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has received “unconfirmed reports” that a group of Filipinos working in close proximity to the Israeli border was taken captive on Saturday morning.

“We have received these unconfirmed reports at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, and we are actively working to verify their accuracy,” stated Daza.

She further assured that all Filipino agro-studies students in Israel are currently “accounted for,” based on the latest information available.

“Nevertheless, we are continuously monitoring the situation and have requested the local authorities to ensure their safety,” Daza added.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega disclosed that contingency plans have been put into motion, including an emergency meeting convened at the embassy, to ensure the well-being of the approximately 30,000 Filipinos residing in Israel.

Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries among the Filipino community in Israel, as confirmed by de Vega. “Evacuation plans have been prepared, just in case. However, as of now, our ambassador has reported no Filipino casualties. We are actively in touch with the Filipino community to ensure their welfare,” he stated in a television interview on Saturday.

In response to this situation, the Department of Migrant Workers has established a 24/7 Task Force Israel Desk dedicated to assisting Filipinos in Israel. They can be reached at +63 2 1348 or via WhatsApp and Viber at +63 9083268344, +63 9271478186, or +63 9205171059.

(AI/MNM)

Image Courtesy of: Pilipino Star Ngayon

By: Junex Doronio

RAISING THE POSSIBILITY that fear for their lives may have caused the recantation of two student activists who had claimed they have surrendered to the government after being abducted by communist rebels, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Wednesday lamented for being on the receiving end.

PAO chief Persida Acosta stood firm that the two activists wrote their affidavits in longhand even before a PAO lawyer from Norzagaray, Bulacan interviewed them.

“Tiniyak ng PAO na ‘yung laman nitong sulat kamay ay ‘yung nasa puso nila. Nag-interview siya, ipinaulit-ulit niya ‘yung mga sinasabi ng dalawa. Ang pakiramdam namin, itong dalawang ito ay may kinakatakutan na may gumanti sa kanila kaya nag-recant,” Acosta said.

On Wednesday, the National Security Council (NSC) also fumed over the recantation of the two activists and accused them of lying.

Last week, in a press conference the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and police claimed that Castro and Tamano had surrendered to the Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion in Bulacan province.

NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya also said that the two had signed affidavits and that they had voluntarily left “the communist movement”.

But self-styled human rights groups expressed doubt on the narrative of Castro and Tamano who had been reported missing since September 2.

(ai/mnm)