Negros’ most wanted NPA rebel nabbed in Canlaon City

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 15, 2023): Negros’ most wanted NPA rebel nabbed in Canlaon City (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

CAUGHT. Jerry Montefalcon (alias Ka Bulhot), the most wanted New People’s Army rebel in Negros Oriental, is arrested by the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Canlaon City on Saturday (April 15, 2023). He was allegedly involved in harassment cases, the slaying of CAFGU Active Auxiliary members and civilians, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in northern Negros. (Photo courtesy of 62IB-PA)

DUMAGUETE CITY – Military and police operatives arrested on Saturday morning a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) tagged by the Philippine National Police as the most wanted NPA rebel in Negros.

A media release from the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) identified the suspect as 49-year-old Jerry Montefalcon (alias Ka Bulhot), married, and a member of the NPA’s Central Negros 1.

He was arrested by 62IB troops and Canlaon City police in Sitio Anatuling, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City under a search warrant.

Montefalcon is the subject of several warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental for murder and illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives, among others.

No bail was recommended.

He was also involved in various harassments and liquidations of CAFGU Active Auxiliary and civilians in Moises Padilla and La Castellana, both in Negros Occidental, and Guihulngan City and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.

Lt. Col. William Pesase, 62IB commanding officer, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the arrest of Montefalcon indicates the battalion’s relentless efforts to “hunt down the remaining NPA members who have killed innocent and unarmed civilians in central Negros.”

“We are reiterating our call for them to surrender now and live a normal life again with their families. Otherwise, they will either die in an encounter or languish in jail for the crimes they have committed,” Pesase said in an interview.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199471