Alleged NPA rebel, also Calabarzon’s most wanted, falls in Quezon

New People’s Army (NPA) | INQUIRER.net file photo

LUCENA CITY—An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel and number one on the list of wanted criminals in the Calabarzon region was arrested Thursday in the island town of Polillo in Quezon province.

Colonel Joel Villanueva, Quezon police chief, in a report said Jesus Abetria alias “Ka Barry/Puti,” 60, was nabbed at 12:15 p.m. by police and Army soldiers, based on a warrant, in Barangay Salipsip, after seven years in hiding.

Abetria has been facing a murder case at the Regional Trial Court Branch 172 in Gumaca, Quezon since May 3, 2021, with no bail recommended.

The report said Abetria, along with four NPA rebels, were accused of shooting to death Army Private First Class Alpasain Ikan in the village of San Vicente in Gumaca in 2014.

Villanueva tagged Abetria as first on the list of wanted criminals in the Calabarzon and has a P100,000 cash reward for his capture.

Brigadier General Antonio Yarra, Regional Police 4A director, commended the Philippine National Police in Quezon behind Abetria’s capture.

Abetria was detained at Polillo police station.

lzb