Ranking NPA leader arrested in Sarangani

KORONADAL CITY—Police authorities in the Soccsksargen region announced the arrest of a ranking communist rebel who led the burning of P35 million worth of construction equipment in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat in 2015.

Brig. Gen. Alfred S. Corpuz, Soccsksargen police director, said joint operatives of Sarangani police and the Philippine Army collared Jonie Calaba alias Jepoy, a resident of Sitio Tinitipan, Barangay Sta. Clara of Kalamansig town. He was arrested earlier this week by virtue of a warrant of arrest.

Calaba, 25, is said to be vice chair of Platoon Cherry Mobile of Guerilla Front 73 of the New People’s Army’s Far South Mindanao Region.

Police said on Thursday that Calaba’s group is said to be operating in Barangay San Jose, General Santos City and in municipalities of Banga, Tupi, Polomolok, Lake Sebu, and T’boli in South Cotabato, and in Kiamba, Sarangani province.

Police added the suspect was arrested for the crime of arson, as his group was allegedly responsible to the torching of a heavy equipment owned by Silvicultural Industries, Inc. on March 7, 2015 in Barangay Hinalaan, Kalamansig town in Sultan Kudarat.

The arson caused P35 million worth of damage.

Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, Soccsksargen police director, said the arrest of Calaba, who was brought to the Sarangani Police Provincial Office, is the fourth accomplishment of the regional police against NPA forces for October.

“The series of apprehension of these CNT members is a great accomplishment for us. This is a result of our Intensified Intel Driven Operations in cooperation with our AFP counterpart coupled with the help of the community towards the aim of weakening the line of the communist terrorist party,” he said.

“We remain steadfast in our mandate to protect our land from internal and external threats,” he also said. /jpv