By Nef Luczon

ACTIVE ROLES. Personnel and officials at the Police Regional Office-10 (Northern Mindanao) in formation at the headquarters in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday (April 21, 2025). The police reported three drowning incidents and the arrest of a communist rebel after the Holy Week observance, but maintained no crimes were reported during the period. (Photo courtesy of RCADD PRO-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) reported drowning incidents and the apprehension of a communist rebel at the conclusion of the Holy Week observance.

In a statement on Monday, PRO-10 director Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman reported that there were three incidents involving the drowning of three minors and an adult in the region.

At the same time, de Guzman said “Batman,” a 52-year-old combatant of the New People’s Army, was arrested in Bukidnon province.

The suspect was apprehended by the Misamis Oriental and Camiguin provincial field units for his pending cases related to violations of Republic Act 9851, also known as the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law.

The arrest was also in collaboration with the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division.

De Guzman said that despite the incidents and the observance of the Lenten season, the police has recorded zero criminal activities.

He credited the deployment of police officers at convergence sites as helpful.

“Their visible presence helped deter criminal activity and ensure public safety throughout the week,” de Guzman said.

Meanwhile, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division also reported it had seized an arms cache from one of the NPA hideouts in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, during the weekend. (PNA)