MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Rey Casambre and his wife Corazon Mercado Casambre were arrested by police early morning Friday, December 7.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) NCR Chief Senior Superintendent Arnold Thomas Ibay confirmed this in a text message to Rappler.

According to a police report, Casambre and his wife were arrested at 12:10 am Friday along Molino Boulevard in Bacoor, Cavite. Police tagged the incident as an arrest of a “central committee regular members of the Communist Party of the Philippines.”

The two were arrested as part of the Philippine National Police’s “Oplan Pagtugis” and “Oplan Paglalansag Omega,” conducted to arrest wanted persons and seize loose firearms, respectively.

Police said Casambre and his wife were onboard a silver Toyota Vios when they were arrested.

Casambre, the police said, supposedly had a verified warrant of arrest for murder and attempted murder, issued by Davao Oriental Regional Trial Court 11th Judicial Region Branch 32 Presiding Judge Emilio Dayanghirang III.

Police said evidence was found when they served Casambre’s arrest warrant, including one Colt Commander Cal. 45 pistol, one Magazine for Cal. 45, 7 live ammunition for Cal. 45, one bundle electric detonating cord, and one fragmentation grenade.

Also seized were two cellphones, one MacBook, P6,000 in cash, and one silver Toyota Altis.

Casambre and his wife are currently being held at the CIDG NCR center in Camp Crame. – Rappler.com