The suspected highest ranking official of the Communist New People’s Army in southern Negros Oriental, Danilo Badayos, was charged Thursday for illegal possession of an explosive and for violation of the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections.{{more}}
His supposed close-in security, Ricky dela Cruz, 25, of Siaton town, and a suspected NPA rebel as well, was also charged separately for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunitions and also for violation of the gun ban.
Both were captured on Wednesday evening by police and Philippine Army authorities at a shopping center in Dumaguete.
A hand grenade, a revolver and a few rounds of ammunition were recovered from the bags of the suspects following their arrest.
Badayos, 46, also known as Ka Willy/Ka Doro, is tagged by police and military authorities as the secretary of the NPA’s Southeast Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon Sentral Bisayas, operating in the southern half of Negros Oriental.
He is also believed to have replaced Ramon Patriarca as deputy secretary of the KRSB following the latter’s arrest in Cebu several months back.
Badayos, however, denied the allegations against him and de la Cruz but told reporters they are willing to answer the charges in court.
He also denied ownership of the hand grenade and the firearm and ammunitions, claiming these were planted by authorities and that they were also manhandled by the arresting officers, all of which were denied by Lt. Col. Pio Diñoso, commander of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion and provincial police director Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas.
Badayos, who hails from Labangon, Cebu province, said that he has been in Negros Oriental for over a year and has resided in Calindagan in Dumaguete with his family.
Diñoso said Badayos has been under close surveillance for several months up to the time of his arrest.
The Army commander said Badayos’ arrest is a big blow to the NPA although the organization can easily replace their members at any given time.
Badayos, also known as Danilo Badayon, is also facing charges of rebellion along with several others believed to be members of the NPA in southern Negros Oriental.
A warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Ananson Jayme of the Bayawan City court, dated Jan. 14, 2010, against Badayos, also known as Danilo Badayon, and Marilyn Badayon, both of Guadalupe, Cebu City, and setting a bail for P80,000.
The arrest warrant stems from a rebellion charged filed against them and Kaloy Pasinabo, Timmy Lagradilla, Marilyn Badayon, Rubegen Sobior, Jolito Alban, Marcos Cojetia, Jimlan dela Cruz, and Nabas Ebiong, in Criminal Case No. 969.
Assistant Prosecutor May Flor Duka, who conducted inquest proceedings, recommended the filing of formal charges against Badayos and de la Cruz.
Provincial police director Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas said they will wait for the judge’s decision as to where both shall be detained considering that Badayos is a high profile suspect.
Lawas and Diñoso also said they are also investigating the possible involvement of Badayos in the murder of SPO3 Malaquias Amores in Zamboanguita town, Negros Oriental, a few weeks ago. (JFP/PNA)
