Mugshot of Leonilo Gonzales alias Kumander Banakon of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command (Photo courtesy of the Davao City Police Office)
Tagum City – A high ranking officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the number 2 most wanted in Davao region has been captured after a massive manhunt operations conducted by the police last August 11.
Leonilo Gonzales alias Kumander Banakon, 44, a squad leader of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command was arrested by authorities during a manhunt operation.
The Davao City Police office (DCPO) said Gonzales, who is the number 2 most wanted person in the Internal Security Operations watchlist-city level, was also involved in series of attacks and harassment throughout the region.
Police officials say Gonzales was part of the NPA team that attacked the Lapanday Foods Corporation in April 2017 in Davao City. The rebels burned the company’s structures and equipment and seized the firearms of the company’s security guards. Gonzales is also tagged in the harassment and abduction of five persons assigned at Police Station 7 in 2016, and the attack on Panabo Police station in 2011 that where a policeman was killed while two others suffered injuries.
The DCPO arrested Gonzales at his residence at Purok 1, Barangay San Roque, New Corella, Davao del Norte through warrants of arrest issued against him by various courts in Region 11 for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder. He is also facing multiple charges of attempted murder, homicide, robbery and sedition. (Rommel F. Lopez)