MNLF chief nabbed in Lapu-Lapu City

CEBU, Philippines — A 46-year-old commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant in Sitio Kagudoy Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, Wednesday evening.

The suspect, Claudio Lariosa Tano, who was charged in Ormoc City, reportedly crossed to Cebu to hide from police and stayed with a relative in Lapu-Lapu City.

Tano, who goes by his Muslim name of Kumander Rajah Ahmad Tano, admitted that he is commander of Southern Leyte MNLF chapter.

According to Chief Supt. Debold Sinas, director of PRO 7, said they were informed by their counterparts in Ormoc City, that Tano is in Cebu.

Sinas said he was found guilty for violating Section 29 of the Presidential Decree 705 otherwise known as the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.

He said that operatives from the Regional Intelligence Division led by Senior Supt. Remos Medina, immediately coordinated with policemen in Lapu-Lapu City to track Tano.

Police were not able to recover any firearms and illegal drugs from Tano. He also did not resist arrest.

He was escorted back to Ormoc City yesterday morning.

Sinas said they immediately acted on the report as the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Ministerial meetings are being held in Lapu-Lapu City and attended by 74 delegates from different ASEAN countries.

Sinas, however, stressed that Tano is not a threat. — MBG (FREEMAN)