The arrest and subsequent deportation of top Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leader Eric Casilao by Malaysian authorities has effectively ended the New People's Army (NPA) insurgency in the Davao Region, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar on Tuesday.
Casilao was apprehended on April 1 at the Langkawi immigration check-in counter in Malaysia while making his way to Thailand on a ferry boat using forged travel documents.
He was identified by local police as one of the most prominent NPA leaders, orchestrating various terroristic actions in the Davao Region.
On April 17, he was deported to Manila.
Casilao is a member of the CPP's Central Committee and the secretary of the CPP's Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.
Medel claimed Casilao was responsible for the NPA's atrocities and crimes in Davao Region.
Casilao fled abroad after "the fall of many of the party organs and NPA units under him," according to Medel.
According to Medel, Casilao abandoned his followers and fled the country, where he was arrested and deported to face his crimes.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police have taken possession of Casilao, who is wanted for kidnapping, major illegal detention, and attempted murder.
