NPA leader nabbed in Las Piñas

MANILA, Philippines—A  top-ranking communist rebel with cases of kidnapping and murder was arrested at a shopping mall in Las Piñas in a joint operation by government forces Tuesday, the military said.

Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said NPA leader Reynante  Gamara alias Mike, was arrested at Star Mall at about 1p.m., on a warrant issued by Mauban, Quezon Judge Rodolfo Obnamia Jr. Police also arrested his companion, a certain Santiago Balleta.

Gamara led the group of NPA rebels who abducted Private First Class Eriberto Eclavea in a farm house in Cagsiay Tres, Mauban town in 2007. He also allegedly ordered the killing of the said soldier through the ‘Kangaroo Court’ system of the rebel group.

In 2008, a fellow NPA member of Gamara testified against him, confirming his involvement in the crime. He also said he led Eclavea to what would be his own shallow grave.