CAMP LAPULAPU, Cebu City— Denis Paradero Rodinas, one of the most wanted NPA terrorists in Mindanao, who have been the mastermind in major atrocities including the brutal killings of Loreto town Mayor Dario Otaza and his son Daryl in Butuan City, was killed during a fire fight with the joint operations conducted between military and police.
At around 10 in the evening of October 11, 2020, by virtue of five warrants of arrest issued at Branch 3, Regional Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region and were transferred to Branch 56, RTC in Compostella, Davao de Oro for murder, terroristic acts and other heinous crimes, authorities were able to serve all of these to Rodinas and his companion, Gerlie Mercado aka Tamsi/Sol, also a top NPA terrorist under Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, at their hideout in Barangay Pong-ol Sibugay, Cebu City.
During the procedure, Rodinas died after he fought back against the arresting officers while Mercado is with the custody of the arresting police personnel and jailed at the Regional PNP station.
Authorities recovered one KIA RIO Sedan color silver gray with plate number ABN 2146; and one .45 pistol at the encounter site.
“We thank the villagers who tipped-off the location of Rodinas. We were able to plan out and implement all measures that will ensure the swift arrest as well as the safety of the people nearby during the operation. However, he died after being hostile to the arresting officers. The same with the recent arrest of Junifie Dagale in Bohol, top NPA who is wanted for crimes in Mindano, Central Visayas is not a safe place forthese terrorists to hide,” Col Jerry Borja, Commander, Task Force, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (TF-CBS), Philippine Army.
Looking back, Mayor Otaza and his son Daryl were among the victims of NPA Lumad Killings in Mindanao. They were abducted and brutally murdered by the NPAs who disguised as NBI agents in Butuan City last October 20, 2015.
Mayor Otaza aka “Datu Malampuson” belongs to the Manobo Tribe. He joined the NPA in 1978 and surrendered to the government in 1985. His firm stance against the NPA organization was able to convince 246 rebels to surrender to his town in Loreto, Agusan del Sur.
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