Eric Jun Casilao, an alleged leader of the New People's Army (NPA), was arrested in Malaysia and reported to the Philippines on Monday, April 17, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Casilao was seen handcuffed and accompanied by the PNP at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as seen in a video shared by RH Christian Maño, He will be transferred to Davao de Oro within the day.
According to PNP Intelligence Dir. PMaj. Benjamin Acorda Jr., Casilao was boarding a ferry going to Thailand when he was intercepted by authorities in Malaysia last April 1. He was then seized and later on, deported to the country on April 17.
Acorda said Casilao is a high-ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-NDF and is considered to be most wanted for cases of murder, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention. The alleged NPA leader also has a bounty worth PHP 5.4 million.
He was also identified as secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
Ayon kay PNP Inteligence Dir. PMaj. Benjamin Acorda Jr., si Casilao ay na-intercept sa sa Malysia at patungo sana sa Thailand sakay ng isang ferry boat | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/FVwP9wlL0a
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) April 17, 2023
Immigration spokesman Melvin Mabulac, meanwhile, said they're still investigating how Casilao was able to fly out of the country using a legitimate passport despite using a different name.
"Base sa travel record natin, gumamit lamang siya ng panagalan kung saan genuine and passport," Mabulac said.
Ayon naman kay Bureau of Immigration Spox. Melvin Mabulac, iniimbestigahan na kung paano nakalabas ng bansi si Casilao gamit ang lehitimong pasaporte ngunit iba ang ginamit na pangalan | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/yVHZHYmGyV
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) April 17, 2023
Both the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also positively confirmed that Casilao's wife is also a member of the Communist group and is considered to be a fugitive.
Earlier on Monday, former Anakpawis party-list lawmaker Ariel Casilao expressed alarm over the life and safety of his brother Eric.
“I was informed by his lawyers that Eric was locked up in KLIA(Kuala Lumpur International Airport) as of yesterday in the afternoon processing the transfer to Philippine Embassy authorities,” the former lawmaker said on Monday.
In a statement, he said that his brother had not been given access to legal counsel. They were also not given information about the details of their client’s deportation.
“I believe that Eric has the right to have access to his lawyers, at every stage of his being in the custody of authorities, and especially in the duration of his deportation and travel from Malaysia to the Philippines, I am very worried of his safety,” Ariel said.
