Alleged Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) leader Pedro Lumantas has been committed to the Bohol District Jail (BDJ).
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Wednesday afternoon transported Lumantas to the jail facility after he was discharged from the Ramiro Hospital in Tagbilaran City where he was arrested by Philippine Army and police operatives.
Lumantas, also known as Dadoy, Andoy, and Didoy, is the alleged deputy secretary of the Bohol Party Committee, the Komiteng Rehiyon Southern Bohol.
He was arrested last Saturday for alleged involvement in the killing of Paulino Banga and Edwin Bugahod, both paramilitary members, earlier this year.
According to Col. Ignacio Madriaga, commander of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade, Lumantas may be among CPP-NPA ranking members who have been tasked to lead efforts in re-establishing a rebel stronghold in the province.
“Siya yung nago-oversee ng recovery effort. Pero that is still to be verified…Eh yun naman ang purpose nila. Establish contact doon sa mga former contacts nila na hindi naman sila tinutulungan ngayon,” he said.
Meanwhile, BDJ officials have detained Lumantas as a high-risk detainee, same with Rustico Tan, a former priest who is also allegedly linked with the NPA.
BDJ warden Chief Insp. Felipe Montejo had earlier noted that detainees like Tan should be separated from the general population of the facility to avoid recruitment.
“Posibli na siya nga maka-recruit ug mga piniriso, kay kung hinay g’yud ug baruganan ang usa ka taw posibli nga madani, ilabi na nga pari siya,” said Montejo.