Military, police operatives capture alleged top NPA leaders in Negros

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 23, 2020): Military, police operatives capture alleged top NPA leaders in Negros (By Jennifer C. Tilos)

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Sept. 22 (PIA) -- Joint military and police operatives arrested two alleged top leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and other seven personalities on Sunday at Brgy. Buenavista, Guihulngan City, this province.

Capt. Raymond Jamisal, civil military officer of the 62nd Infantry Battalion identified the suspect as Nona Espinosa, deputy secretary of Central Neros1 Front and Adidas Acero, vice-commander of Front Operational Command of NPA.

Both suspects have pending seven warrants of arrests for various crimes such as multiple murder, robbery, among others, said Jamisal.

“The arrested NPA leaders were also involved in the series of atrocities in Central Negros including the ambush of Police Supt. Arnel Arpon in Brgy. Magsaysay, Guihulngan City on July 21, 2017,” he added.

The military reports stated that other arrested individuals with their names and aliases were captured, and seized from their possession were firearms and explosives including one glock pistol, caliber 45 pistol, two hand grenades, and various subversive documents.

Lt. Col Melvin Flores, battalion commander of 62nd IB, lauded the effort of the joint operatives, Guihulngan City Task Force ELCAC, and residents of Brgy. Buenavista for their timely information on the presence of these NPA personalities.

“We assured everyone that these personalities will be treated fairly in accordance with the International Humanitarian Law and in adherence to Human Rights Law. I urged the rebels to surrender and avail of the government’s livelihood program Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program,” said Flores.

The military commander added “Certain Espinosa and Matusado, part of the suspected NPAs arrested, will be given immediate medical attention considering their pregnancy. And to the remaining NPAs, our government is always ready to help those who will peacefully surrender, but if you choose to push the armed struggle, we have no choice but to enforce the law. The Army and PNP will continue its mandated task to serve the people and find justice to your victims. We will not stop hunting you until we achieve the just and lasting peace here in Central Negros.”

Captured personalities are now under the custody of Guihulngan City Police Station for proper disposition and inquest proceedings, said Jamisal.

For his part, MGen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division said the arrest of the ranking officials of CPP-NPA communist terrorists was part of 3ID’s aggressive and intensified campaign against insurgency and wanted persons in attaining a peaceful Negros Island.

“We are doubling our efforts and strategies to cease these communist-terrorists from staging more terror. Our troops together with the PNP will be conducting more joint law enforcement operations to permanently disable not only their terroristic activities but also their organization,” Vinoya said.

“The successful arrest of the high-ranking officials of the communist-terrorist group likewise shows that our government’s anti-terrorism drive is effective, a breakthrough in our anti-insurgency effort and a major setback to the anti-peace and anti-people activities of the CPP-NPA Terrorist in the island of Negros,” Vinoya stressed. (jct/PIA7 Negros Oriental)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053980