Alleged NPA officer nabbed in Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY — An alleged ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested by authorities in Northern Samar on Friday, March 18.

Alias ‘Megan,” 65, was arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office and the 803rd Infantry Brigade.

She was arrested by virtue of warrants of arrest for terrorism under Section 3 of Republic Act 9372, otherwise known as the Human Security Act of 2007.

No bail was recommended.

The operating teams also seized firearms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices from her possession.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and RA 9516 (Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives) are being prepared against the accused.

Col. Alfredo Tadefa, police provincial director, said they received information from some residents of Libertad regarding the suspect’s presence.

“The fate of these Red fighters who caused havoc and terroristic acts are doomed. The arms of the law will eventually catch you up. Once again, I appeal to the public to continue to cooperate with your local police and military so we can sustain this gain. Let us all guard our peace for the benefit of the future generations,” Tadefa said in a statement.

During his visit in Palo, Leyte last Thursday, March 17, President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his call for members of the communist group to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law.

“Tell them, I don’t want war. Tell them to come down here. Tell your governor or mayor to come down here. That is my policy. I’m now laying down the policy. I will guarantee it but I don’t know about the next president. I’ve been calling for this for at least three years,” the President said in his speech.

“If they surrender, I’ll accept them. But if they take their time and wait to decide, then the problem is I’m about to step down from the presidency,” he added.

During the event, more than 200 former rebels from Leyte were given their certificates of land ownership by the President.

/MUF