MANILA, Feb. 3 -- Magsasaka party-list member Lejun dela Cruz was arrested in Pasig City on Sunday because of a murder case as the Philippine National Police (PNP) refuted allegations of abduction and assassination tries.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said officers arrested dela Cruz armed with an arrest warrant for murder issued by a Las Pinas court in 1992.

The police attempted to arrest the former commander of the Alex Boncayao Brigade, which is the urban assassination unit of the communist New People's Army, but he attempted to escape. The chase ended in Pasig.

Dela Cruz's camp said he was forced to flee after the police officers, who were not in proper uniform,...