Ex-NPA 'district secretary' nabbed

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

A case of “mistaken identity” proved fruitful after the operatives of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-6) nabbed a former “district secretary” of the New People's Army (NPA).

CIDG's Insp. Marlon Tayaba said that Elisa Datuon alias “ Loida Cabrello ” was arrested at Poblacion , Oton , Iloilo on March 12. A resident of Brgy . Rizal of said town, she is charged with kidnapping with murder way back in 1989.

Tayaba noted that police had mistaken Datuon as Ma. Loida Magpotoc of Br. 34 Cabadbaran , Agusan Del Norte, who is included in the list of National Most Wanted Persons. Magpotoc is accused of murder with a P500 ,000 reward for her capture.

“The suspect ( Datuon ) has the same background and looks similar as with Magpotoc ,” Tayaba cited. Meanwhile, he pointed out that in the course of the investigation, police found out that Datuon had held a high position in the rebel movement.  

He said that Datuon is a district secretary of the Bukidnon provincial committee party of the NPA before. Tayaba stressed that Datuon is also accused of arson and subversion as she has warrants of arrest on said charges issued by the court in Bukidnon .

Tayaba noted that Datuon had surrendered to the 1st Mobile Group in Tigbauan , Iloilo last 2001. However, it was not properly facilitated , he added.

The CIDG presented Datuon to the media yesterday.

Datuon told reporters that she has been with the rebel group from 1983-1991. Datuon said she engaged in merchandising prior to her arrest.

“According to her, she's not already active in the NPA,” Tayaba quoted Datuon as saying. “She did not try to get in touch with NPA,” Tayaba said adding that Datuon is “very cooperative but can't present document” to deny the cases against her.

Tayaba said Datuon did not resist the arrest. She would be then turn-over to Bukidnon authorities for the proper disposition of her cases.