Rebel leader linked to raid in Toboso falls

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 27): Rebel leader linked to raid in Toboso falls

The alleged top leader of the New People's Army, who was arrested on Christmas day in Manjuyod, Negros Oriental, by a combined team of police and military personnel, also led the raid and burning of a military outpost in Brgy, Bug-ang, Toboso, Negros Occidental, two years ago, the military said. Felimon Mendrez, who was tagged by the military as the deputy secretary of the Central Visayas Regional Party Committee, was apprehended by state security agents in Brgy. Tubod, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental, by virtue of arrest warrants for rebellion and robbery-in-band, military spokesman Capt. Aniceto Naz said.

Naz, 302 nd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations Officer, said that Mendrez, with the aliases of Tatay and Edon, led various NPA violent actions in Negros island and other areas of Central Visayas, of which the most significant was the raid of the Polopangyan detachment in Brgy. Bug-ang. Toboso, on Aug. 28, 2010.  The rebel attackers, disguising themselves as members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, seized 23 high-powered firearms after killing the detachment commander, SSgt. Efraim Bagonoc, in front of his horrified daughter and government militiamen, military records show. Before withdrawing, the rebels also burned the detachment.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commanding general of the Army's 3 rd Infantry Division, justified the arrest of Mendrez, saying that, law enforcement operations will continue even as they observe a suspension of military operations and ceasefire. Military records also show that Mendrez ranked number six among the most wanted persons in the country, with a reward of P5.25 million for his capture. Aside from being the CVRPC deputy secretary, Mendrez also occupied the position of commander of the Regional Strike Force-Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros, Naz said. Mabanta attributed the successful arrest of Mendrez to the convergence of efforts among the Philippine Army, PNP, other stakeholders involved in the security sector, and the general public.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/December/27/topstory5.htm