NPA leader arrested; gov’t forces on alert

POLICE and military personnel in the Central Visayas are placed on alert for a possible revenge by the New People’s Army following the arrest of its high ranking officer last Tuesday morning in Negros Oriental.

Filemon Mendrez, also known as Tatay Edon, is the sixth most wanted man in the country.

A P5.25 million bounty is put up by the government for his arrest.

Police Regional Office Chief, Supt. Marcelo Garbo said he already ordered his men to guard vital installations in the region since yesterday.

Mendrez, who faces a string of criminal and rebellion cases in local courts, was captured by police and military troops in barangay Tubod, Manjuyod town, Negros Oriental around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

He was the former head of Front Committee 2 before he became deputy head of Central Visayas Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), said Garbo.

He is currently head of the CPP-NPA in Negros.

Meanwhile, the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said military operations will still continue despite the declarations of a Christmas truce by the government from Dec. 16 to Jan. 3 and by the CPP Central Committee from Dec. 20 to Jan. 15.  /CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON