NPA leader nabbed in Negros Occidental—military

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A ranking leader of the New People’s Army was arrested by government forces in Negros Occidental, the military said on Tuesday.

“Combined security forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police arrested a certain Romulo Bitoon around 6:10 a.m. on Monday at the vicinity of Hacienda Dos Hermanas in Talisay City,” said Major Ray Tiongson, spokesperson of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said.

Bitoon is facing murder and arson charges. He was involved in the death of Lieutenant Archie Polenzo in a sniping incident in 2010.

The arrested NPA leader is known as Molong, who is now the Secretary of the Regional United White Area Committee and at the same time a member of the Executive Committee of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros.

The arrest of Bitoon “will add up to the leadership crisis within the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA,” said Colonel Jon Aying, commander of the 303rd Brigade.

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