Government forces have nabbed an alleged ranking leader of the communist New People's Army in Negros Occidental after the latter met with officials of activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and human rights group Karapatan in Silay City.
Joint forces of the military and the police arrested the suspected NPA leader, identified as Victor Tapang, on Saturday morning in the vicinity of Hacienda Imbang in Silay, Major General Aurelio Baladad, commander of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division said on Sunday.
Tapang is supposedly a member of the taxation bureau of the Northern Front, Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros.
The government troops managed to flag Tapang's motorcycle down after the meeting but his two companions, also believed to be NPA rebels, were able to escape.
The authorities seized a caliber .45 pistol and two rifle grenades from the alleged NPA leader.
Tapang is currently detained at the Silay City police station, Baladad added.
Balalad said Tapang's arrest further proves the link between the NPA and Bayan and Karapatan.
Baladad said the troops nabbed Tapang shortly after a meeting with Christian Tuayon, secretary general of Bayan-Negros, and Clarissa Singson, secretary general of Karapatan-Negros.
GMA News Online tried to reach Bayan-Negros for comment but received no response. Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes said he had no information on the incident.
Tapang was arrested by virtue of warrants issued by San Carlos City and Cadiz City courts where he is facing murder and robbery in band charges, respectively.
The meeting was held at the house of Silay City councilor Joedith Gallego.
"We have no reports that the councilor was there. We are not sure if the councilor was part of the meeting or not...What they (troops) observed is that they (Tapang, Tuayon and Singson) went to his house for a meeting," the army commander said.
Balalad said authorities are now investigating Tuayon, Singson and Gallego for possible criminal liability.
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