2 suspected NPA leaders nabbed on Christmas Day in Sorsogon
LEGAZPI CITY — Two suspected ranking leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested on Christmas Day (Friday) in an outskirt village in Bulusan town in Sorsogon province, a belated military report said on Sunday.
Arrested were Enriquita Guelas, alias Cora/Corazon Escandor, secretary of the NPA Larangan 2 (L2) guerilla front; and Elizabeth Estilon, alias Lanie, an NPA medical staff, according to Captain John Paul Belleza, Army’s 9th Infantry Division public affairs chief.
Army troops were on patrol operations in Barangay Lalud at around 5:30 a.m. when they chanced upon Winefredo Guyala Griego, alias Adax/Lolo, another ranking leader of the NPA L2 operating in the province. During the brief skirmish, the Griego was able to flee with two other armed companions.
Belleza said that the Army soldiers, while scouring the area for the fleeing rebels, sighted two suspicious-looking persons in a nearby house.
The soldiers investigated and spotted an improvised shotgun in the house. During the subsequent search, the soldiers also recovered anti-personnel mines, blasting caps, detonators, 100-meter wire, three-hand grenades, three backpacks, and medical equipment.
Investigation said Guelas was the wife of Griego who, together with other rebels, went into hiding after an armed encounter with soldiers of the 22nd Infantry Battalion (22IB) last November 23 in Irosin town where one of their comrades was killed and an M16 rifle was seized.
