Live-in partners tagged NPA rebels nabbed in Quirino town

TUGUEGARAO CITY—Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of a couple suspected of membership in the rebel guerrilla group New People’s Army (NPA) although on different charges.

The couple were arrested in the town of Diffun, Quirino province, according to Brig. Gen. Angelito Casimiro, Cagayan Valley acting police chief.

The arrested man was identified as Reynaldo Busania who was tagged by police as communications head of the regional rebel organization. Busania, according to Casimiro, has warrants of arrest for murder, multiple frustrated murder, serious illegal detention, car theft, robbery and arson.

Casimiro said Busania was among the rebels who attacked the Maddela town police station on April 29, 2017.

Busania’s live-in partner, Sharon Malubay, was also arrested but on a charge of adultery and harboring a criminal. Malubay, according to police, served as medical officer of NPA members operating in Cagayan Valley.

Police in Diffun are keeping the couple. In a statement, however, the peasant group Danggayan-Cagayan Valley said the charges against the couple were trumped up. They were framed up, said the group. Villamor Visaya Jr./TSB