A Cebuana who was allegedly a top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) based in Negros Oriental was arrested in a pension house in Bacolod City.
Marilyn Badayos from barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, was arrested yesterday morning by members of the 303rd Infantry Batallion at Omars Pension House, said Lt. Col Christopher Tampus, public information officer of the Central Command (Centcom).
Tampus said the arrest came a few hours after an encounter between government troops and suspected members of the NPA in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental. Two soldiers were hurt in the gunfight that lasted for 40 minutes.
Tampus said Badayos, who carries the aliases Jona, Mina and Eunice, is the current secretary of the armed group Southeast Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas (KRSB).
She reportedly replaced Danilo Badayos who was arrested on October 2010.
Tampus said Badayos has been hiding in Bacolod City after she was injured in an encounter last May 3.
Regional Trial Court Judge Ananson Jayme of Branch 63 based in Bayawan issued a warrant for Badayos’ arrest for rebellion charges.
Recovered from her possession were documents with high-intelligence value, assorted letters and personal belongings, Tampus said.
Tampus said Centcom will investigate Badayos’ alleged involvement in several operations by the NPA where government soldiers were killed.