Tipster gets P10M for arrest of NPA’s Benito Tiamzon

MANILA, Philippines – The tipster who provided information that led to the arrest of tagged New People’s Army (NPA) chief Benito Tiamzon received his reward of P10 million reward in a formal ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo on Friday, August 7.

His features cloaked by a face mask, a baseball cap, and a loose jacket, he was ushered into a room inside the military intelligence compound, where Armed Force chie General Hernando Iriberri placed the reward money – one bundle at a time – inside a backpack that he brought with him.

They shook hands and then he was ushered out of the room. 

It took a year and 5 months to reward the tipster. Tiamzon was arrested on March 22, 2014.

The military accused him of involvement in the death of “estimated 300 NPA members in the purging of their ranks dubbed the ‘Inopacan Massacre.'” The NPA dismissed it as a trumped-up allegation.

Iriberri is hoping the activity will encourage more people to provide authorities information that will lead to the arrest of most wanted personalities.

“In intelligence operations, there are informants. If they see this (activity), all the more that they will work harder,” Iriberri said.

He attributed the recent high profile arrests made by the military to the reward system.

“If you look at the caliber of the recent arrests, it would speak for itself. It is the effect of the incentive that we are giving to the informants. It is why we got the Tiamzon couple, who we have been hunting down for a longtime,” Iriberri said.

Tiamzon’s wife, Wilma, was arrested with him in Cebu. Iriberri said they are still processing the reward. It is unclear if the same tipster will get the reward.

Iriberri boasted of the arrest of Davao NPA commander Leoncio “Ka Parago” Pitao and Ali Muhammad Tambako, the alleged coddler of Bassit Usman.

The validation is ongoing, he said.

The tipsters who helped the military and the police arrest the personalities below also received their rewards on Friday. 

• Abu Sayyaf member Andulgapar Imambakal – wanted for the abduction of a priest, 15 teachers, and a policeman in Isabela, Basilan; murder of students of Special Forces Operational Course in Lantawan, Basilan; murder of 7 members of the Scout Rangers during the Attack of Puno Mahadji; and murder of 14 Marine troops in an ambush in Albarka, Basilan
• Dionisio Almonte – wanted for the murder of two police officials and a hostage of another policeman in the raid of Roxas Municipal Police Station, Roxas, Palawan
• ASG member Algaber Said – wanted for kidnapping of a priest, teachers, and students from Claret High School and Tumahubong Elementary School in Basilan
• ASG cohort/Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) member Caharudin Silongan Lacman – wanted for murder, multiple frustrated murder and multiple attempted murder, and involvement in illegal drugs and gun-running activities. He was also known to have close links with notorious bomb expert Basit Usman.
• Domingo Javier – wanted for murder and arson
• Ricardo Reyes – wanted for massacre of Ligiw family in Dumengley, Abra; murder of 5 policemen and a CAFGU member; and kidnapping and serious illegal detention of two other policemen during the attack and burning of Municipal Hall and Police Station of San Juan, Abra
• Brandon Magranga – wanted for murder of 7 military personnel under 52^nd DRC in Bontoc, Mountain Province.  

– Rappler.com