Sixth most wanted NPA leader arrested in Negros Oriental – military

MANILA, Philippines – The sixth most wanted man in the country was arrested by government forces in Negros Oriental Tuesday morning, the military said Tuesday.

Ranking New People’s Army leader Filemon Mendrez, known as Tatay Edon, who is facing a string of criminal and rebellion cases in local courts, was captured by police and military troops in Tubod village in Manjuyod town around 10:30 a.m. on Christmas Day, Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said in a statement.

Mendrez carried a bounty of P5.25 million for his arrest based on the new joint Department of the Interior and Local Government-Department of National Defense Rewards List dated on November 29, 2012.

He was the former head of Front Committee 2 and later became the deputy head of Central Visayas Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines. He is the current leader of the armed group of the NPA in Negros. He led several successful attacks both in Central Visayas and Negros province, Cabunoc said.

Meanwhile, Army’s 3rd Infantry Division Commander Major General Jose Mabanta Jr said that law enforcement operations will continue even as the suspension of military offensive is observed.

The military earlier declared a Christmas truce from December 16 until January 3, 2013, while the Central Committee of the CPP announced a ceasefire order from December 20 until January 15, 2013.