By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) emphasized that the arrest and detention of Tomas Dominado, a wanted member of the New People’s Army (NPA), followed proper legal procedures and adhered to humanitarian protocols.
Dominado, 74, was apprehended on December 5 at his home in Arevalo, Iloilo City, based on warrants for murder and rebellion issued by the Regional Trial Court in Mambusao, Capiz.
The ICPO issued a statement refuting claims by human rights group Panay Alliance Karapatan that Dominado was abducted and denied healthcare.
The police stressed that his constitutional rights were safeguarded, and medical attention was provided by the Regional Medical and Dental Unit (RMDU) of PRO6 and the Western Visayas Medical Center following his arrest.
“ICPO assures the public that all police operations are conducted in strict compliance with established protocols, respecting the rule of law, and ensuring necessary humanitarian assistance to individuals in custody,” said Colonel Kim Legada, ICPO director.
Legada added that the decision to transport Dominado to court instead of a hospital was based on assessments by licensed medical professionals.
He noted that judicial directives require arrested individuals to be personally presented to the issuing court.
Claims of abduction and deliberate denial of medical care, Legada said, are “entirely unfounded” and an attempt to misrepresent the actions of law enforcement.
The ICPO condemned efforts to politicize Dominado’s arrest and called on the public to refrain from spreading misinformation, urging support for their mission to maintain peace and order.
Dominado faces charges for murder involving the use of firearms and rebellion. During his arrest, police also detained a man identified as Jofel, 42, a purported former rebel medic who allegedly served as Dominado’s caregiver.
Authorities claimed Jofel resisted arrest, and upon frisking, a loaded .45-caliber pistol was recovered.
Jofel faces multiple charges, including obstruction of justice, illegal possession of firearms under Republic Act 10591, and violations of the Anti-Terror Law for providing material support to a terrorist organization.
In response to allegations by Dominado’s family that he was denied timely medical care, ICPO said he was examined at the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan and cleared for detention.
The court later issued a commitment order transferring him to a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo.
Dominado is married to Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado, a prominent activist who was abducted in 2007 along with another leftist leader, Leonilo Arado.
Legada reiterated the ICPO’s dedication to upholding human rights, justice, and transparency.
“Every arrest we make reflects our resolve to hold offenders accountable and provide closure to victims and their families,” he said.
The police underscored their commitment to impartial service and called for the public’s trust in law enforcement’s efforts to maintain peace and order in Iloilo City.
