NPA leader in Iloilo arrested

MANILA, Philippines—Joint military and police teams arrested a leader of the communist rebels in Iloilo Tuesday.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police arrested Norberto Castor, also known as Marlon and Greg, at 5:30 a.m. in Barangay (village) , Calaboa, Leganes, Iloilo through a warrant of arrest for multiple murder and use of explosives including multiple frustrated murder cases.

Major Ray Tiongson, Philippine Army 3rd Division Public Affairs Office chief, said Judge Guilljie Delfin Lim of the Regional Trial Court, 6th Judicial Region, Iloilo City filed the warrant on March 10, 2006.

Police Director Benjamin Magalong, Criminal Investigation and Detention Group Director, said Castor eluded arrest for eight years after hiding in different places across Iloilo City.

Castor is the Deputy Secretary of Central Front of Komiteng Rehiyonal Panay and has a standing bounty on his head worth P2.3 million.

“The arrest of Castor is certainly a big blow against the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA hierarchy and will add to their leadership crisis,” Colonel Eric Uchida, 301st Brigade Commander said.

Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, 3rd Infantry Division Commander, said the arrest was an accomplishment of the people of Panay and Western Visayas who helped in “creating an environment of peace.”

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