Army nabs ranking NPA leader in Northern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25): Army nabs ranking NPA leader in Northern Samar

Troopers from the 803rd Infantry Brigade with the assistance of the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office on Tuesday arrested a New People's Army (NPA) leader during operations in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Belated reports from Capt. Amado Gutierrez, 8th Infantry Division spokesperson, on Thursday identified the arrested rebel as Bernardo Llave.

The apprehended ranking communist officer was arrested along G.H del Pilar Street., Barangay Molave, Catarman, Northern Samar around 11:45 a.m. by virtue of warrant of arrest for multiple murders, frustrated murder and robbery in band issued by Judge Norma N. Cardenas of Regional Trial Court Branch 19 of Catarman.

Llave holds various positions in the rebel movement such as political instructor of the Security Force, Northern Samar Provincial Party Committee; Secretary of Front Committee 2, Sub Regional Committee and Executive Committee Member.

He was also a member of NPA Task Force Election 2013 and Secretary, Northern Samar NPA White Area Committee from 2007 to 2009.

Llave has in the past eluded arrest due to his connections.

But a breakthrough came about a few days prior to his arrest, when a concerned citizen reported Llave's presence in Barangay Molave.

Llave is the sixth ranking NPA leader in Eastern Visayas arrested from November 2012 to date.

“The series of arrests of ranking NPA leaders in Eastern Visayas has significantly reduced their capability to derail government programs. Rest assured that your Army in Eastern Visayas will continue to do its part in providing a secured environment for the people to live peacefully and for businesses to thrive in the region,” 8th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Gerardo T. Layug said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=547789