Wanted NPA rebel nabbed in Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — A suspected communist rebel was arrested in Pio V. Corpus town in Masbate province on Wednesday morning.

Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Bicol Police Regional Office, said Jessie Dela Cruz, 43, was arrested in Barangay Cabangrayan at 11:45 a.m.

The arrest warrant was issued on July 16, 2020, by Judge Igmedio Emilio Camposano of the Regional Trial Court Branch 49 in Cataingan town for violation of the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other Crimes Against Humanity.

Dela Cruz was a member of Larangan 2, Kilusan Partido 4, a unit of the New People’s Army operating in the province.

Calubaquib said the suspect was involved in an ambush and land mine explosion that injured police officers  in Barangay Alegria in August 2018.

On June 5, his co-accused Narciso Hao, 39, was also arrested in Barangay Alegria.

Hao was a member of Militia ng Bayan under Rogelio Suson Command and served as the commanding officer of Larangan 2, Komiteng Probinsya in South Masbate.

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