Troopers from the 3rd Infantry Division and the local police arrested a ranking New People's Army (NPA) leader during an operation in Hacienda Dos Hermanas,
Major Ray Tiongson, the unit's spokesperson, identified the arrested rebel as Romulo Bitoon, secretary of the Regional United White Area Committee and member of the Executive Committee of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros.
Bitoon was arrested around 6:10 a.m. by virtue of warrants of arrest for murder with Case Number 4311-C issued by Judge Renato Muñes of Cadiz City and arson with Case Number 4201 issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 59, San Carlos City.
Bitoon was positively identified by a former NPA fighter who has long since returned to mainstream society.
Bitoon's murder case stemmed from the killing of Lt. Archie Polenzo of 62nd Infantry Battalion in 2010 in
While his arson case involved the burning of Victorias Milling Company Transloading Station in Barangay San Jose, Toboso, Negros Occidental last March 16, 2008 where two cranes, four prime movers and one 10-wheeler truck were destroyed.
“The arrest of Bitoon is another significant accomplishment of the convergence of efforts of all the stakeholders who have been working with us in our peace and security operations here in the Region. We have strengthened our resolve to bring criminals behind bar of justice and we continue with our commitment to maintain an environment conducive to development," 3rd Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Aurelio Baladad said.
“Armed struggle is not the solution to our societal problems. We call on to the rest of the NPA members to lay down their arms, abandon the armed struggle and return to the comfort of their families and join us in bringing peace and development especially to the communities in the countryside,” he added.
Bitoon is now detained at Talisay Police Station.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=617191
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