Couple tagged as NPA leaders now detained in Samar

TACLOBAN CITY—An alleged leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) and his wife are now detained at the provincial jail in Catbalogan City, Samar, following their arrest in Metro Manila last week.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan, said that Juan Paolo Rodrigo Versoza and his wife, Grace, arrived in Catbalogan on July 1 at 9 a.m.

The couple was arrested by the Catbalogan police and soldiers of the 8th ID in their alleged hideout in Barangay (village) Fortuna, Marikina City, on June 28.

The arrest of Versoza, 28, and his wife, Grace, 25, was made on the basis of a warrant issued by Catbalogan Regional Trial Court Branch 28 Judge Esteban de la Peña for illegal possession of explosives, robbery and homicide.

However, the police and military could not give details of the case filed against the Versoza couple.

Gutierrez said that the arrest of the Versoza couple was a “big blow” to the NPA.