Magsasaka Partylist third nominee Lejun Dela Cruz in police custody. Handout/Magsasaka Partylist 

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) -- Magsasaka Partylist nominee and former commander of the Alex Boncayao Brigade, Lejun dela Cruz, has been found after going missing on Sunday.

According to his legal counsel, Atty. General Du, Dela Cruz had visited a friend in Cainta, Rizal, on Sunday morning. He got into his vehicle at around 11:00 a.m. when a man in civilian clothes supposedly approached his window.

A motorcycle, driven by another man, appeared on his right side, pulled out a gun, and allegedly shot at him twice. When Dela Cruz tried to reverse, the man allegedly fired multiple times. He was then chased by several motorcycles and a sedan.

Du added that when Dela Cruz reached a dead end in Manggahan, Pasig, he collided with the sedan and a motorcycle that had been following him. The driver of the sedan then shouted at him, claiming they were police officers. Dela Cruz surrendered, raised his hands, and was handcuffed before being forced to the ground.

According to his lawyer, Dela Cruz was beaten for almost three hours, sustaining bruises and abrasions to his face, knees, and elbows.

Dela Cruz's executive secretary, Maya Capalad, found him at around 4:30 p.m. at the Manggahan police station in Pasig while planning to file a police blotter.

"Nakarating kaming Antipolo, Pasig tapos nung bandang hapon sa Cainta galing kami sa may Brgy. San Isidro, sabi dun mayron ngang nangyari na nakarinig ng putukan ng baril dun sa may bandang Pasig," she said.

"Nung nakarating kami sa may police station ng Manggahan, nakita ko si Lejun bitbit na siya ng pulis na nakaposas," she added.

Capalad saw Dela Cruz being placed in a police mobile, but didn't know where he was being taken. She added that they tried to follow the police mobile, but two men in civilian clothes, who identified themselves as police, pointed their guns at them.

"Sinundan namin yung mobile na nagdala sa kanya tapos along the way nung papunta kami rito ay binunutan kami ng baril nung tatlong pulis na nakaconvoy sa sasakyan niya," she said.

"Tinanong sino kami kasi alanganin daw 'yung pasok namin, bakit kami humahabol," she added.

They went to the Marikina Police Station, where they learned that Dela Cruz had been taken to the hospital for a medical examination.

Dela Cruz is a former member of the Alex Boncayao Brigade but has since turned to legal work, organizing farmers, workers, and communities.

His friend and member of the Manggagawa Partylist, Eli San Fernando, believes the arrest may be related to his work.

"Si Lejun ang background niya nakikipaglaban yan sa karapatan ng maliliit na Pilipino lalo na sa mga magsasaka, mangagagawa. Alam naman natin sa bansa natin pag pinaglalaban mo ang karapatan ng maliliit na pilipino hinaharass ka, iniintimidate ka, hinuhuli ka at worst papatayin ka. Hindi malayo na yun yung anggulo sa paghuli kay Lejun," he said.

Dela Cruz has been taken to the Marikina Police Station. Du stated that, according to the Marikina police, Dela Cruz was arrested due to a warrant from 1992 related to a murder case.

Dela Cruz's camp is questioning why he was shot at and why it took three hours before he was brought to the police station. They plan to file a case against the police officers involved.

The Marikina police confirmed that Lejun Dela Cruz was arrested based on a court order issued by the Las Piñas court for a standing murder charge.

PCol. Erwin Dayag, the chief of police of Marikina, explained that the officers involved were in civilian clothes because they were part of an intelligence group.

"Intel po natin 'yan so how can you arrest that person kung alam na aarestuhin mo na pulis yan?" Dayag said.

He also clarified that Dela Cruz was not apprehended in Cainta, Rizal, but in Pasig.

"Upon learning that Lejun has a pending warrant vinalidate po natin 'yan sa court ng Las Piñas. Nagconduct kami ng operation kasi before that ma'am nakikita na si Lejun somewhere in Pasig. Nagtatago talaga yan eh," he said.

According to Dayag, the police informed Dela Cruz of the standing murder warrant, but he allegedly fired at them.

"Ngayon itong si Lejun, ma'am, ang ginawa nya bumunot ng baril so nung bumunot siya ng baril pinutukan nung isa nating personnel," he said.

While attempting to flee, Dela Cruz reportedly hit a police officer. The police then shot at the vehicle's tire, causing him to be cornered.

Dayag also denied claims that Dela Cruz was beaten by the police.

"Wala pong nangyaring ganun, kasi sa totoo lang, meron naman tayong body cameras," he said.

Dela Cruz will be turned over to the Las Piñas police.