PNP Intel agents nab top rebel leader in QC
A RANKING Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CCP-NPA) leader wanted for non-bailable multiple murder and frustrated murder charges since 2006 was captured by Philippine National Police (PNP) intelligence agents in her hiding place in Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon, PNP Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. said.
“I am pleased to announce the capture of another ranking officer of the communist terrorist group operating in Western Visayas who is wanted by the court to stand trial for the crime of multiple murders,” the top cop said in a statement.
According to the PNP chief, intelligence officers from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) under Brig. Gen. Leo M. Francisco, with the assistance of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the Q.C. Police District, and the Manila Police District (MPD), arrested alias “Boying/Ato/Vida” in Maalalahanin Street in Teachers Village East in Q.C. 2:40 p.m. Wednesday.
The suspect was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest for multiple murders and multiple frustrated murders with the use of explosives issued by Judge Guilljie Lim of the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court Branch 32 on March 10, 2006.
She is also facing a separate criminal case for rebellion apart from the previous charges, which stemmed from the use of anti-personnel landmines, which were long banned under the international convention on warfare.
Azurin said that the suspect had been identified as a staff officer of the CPP/NPA/NDF (National Democratic Front) General Command and secretary of the CPP/NPA Regional Committee-Panay Central Front.
A resident of Bgy. Roosevelt in Tapaz, Capiz, the suspect, was also identified as the party wife of CPP/NPA Central Committee member alias “Bren”, the top cop said.
Azurin congratulated the PRO6 under Francisco, the NCRPO headed by Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo, QCPD under Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, and the MPD Director Brig. Gen. Andre P. Dizon for accounting for the wanted rebel personality thru close coordination with each other.
Members of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) also helped in the successful operation.
