Top NPA leader arrested in Bohol

From the Philippine Star (Feb 28): Top NPA leader arrested in Bohol

Combined government security forces on Tuesday arrested in Bohol a top New People’s Army (NPA) leader in Central Visayas.

Arrested for illegal possession of firearms was Ruben Nabas, who is also known as Ka Ebyong, Ka Elmer, Ka Padi and Ka Rex in the underground movement.

Nabas was arrested by policemen and Army soldiers manning a checkpoint at Barangay Catbigian in Bohol province.

Capt. Cresencio Gargar, spokesman of the Philippines Army's 302nd infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said that Nabas is the overall head of the NPA’s Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) in Central Visayas.

Gargar said that Nabas was wth his security aide, Cristituto Lastomen alias Ka Onyot, when he was arrested.

Seized from the two suspects were a .45 pistol, a 9mm pistol, P18,200 in cash and several documents of alleged high intelligence value.

 Gargar said that aside from illegal possession of firearms charges, Nabas also has a standing warrant of arrest for rebellion before the Regional Trial Court Branch 63 in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

The military said that Nabas was a vice commander of the elite NPA force operating in the hinterlands of southern Negros Oriental before he moved up as head of the NPAs’ liquidation unit in Central Visayas.

Nabas reportedly led his men in attacking two police camps in Bohol in 1999 where the rebels carted away high-powered firearms.

He was also tagged as the leader of an NPA band that bombed two newly-constructed transmission line towers of the National Grid Corporation at Barangay Sta. Catalina, Sagbayan, Bohol and at Barangay Sto. Nino, San Miguel town also in the province.

The military added that several witnesses also identified Nabas as the triggerman of Chief Inspector Pelecio Domino, police chief of Talibon, Bohol.

Meanwhile, an eight-month pregnant amazon has abandoned the armed struggle and surrendered to Army authorities in Agusan del Norte.

Accompanied by her husband, who is also serving as an NPA courier, 18-year-old Ka Dimple presented herself to Army authorities at Barangay Del Pilar Cabadbaran City on Monday.

Lt. Col. Pontenciano Camba, commander of the 3rd Special Forces battalion, is withholding the true identify of Ka Dimple for the time being until she and her family are finally secured.

Camba said that Ka Dimple was as a note taker (secretary) to an NPA commander and a medic to the rebel movement.

He said security will be provided for Ka Dimple and her husband as well as for their families.

 http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/28/914255/top-npa-leader-arrested-bohol