‘NPA leader’ hiding in Pasig nabbed for CamSur killing

MANILA, Philippines—An alleged commander of the communist New People’s Army was arrested Monday afternoon in Pasig City in connection with a murder charge he faces in Camarines Sur province.

Sandy Malaca, aka Commander Jamay or Angel, was placed under surveillance for about a month in Barangay (village) Pinagbuhatan, where “he never went out and only his sister was seen leaving the house,” said Chief Insp. Reynante Galang of the Eastern Police District.

Malaca was arrested on a warrant issued by Judge Noel Paulite for the March 15, 2013, killing of Dominador Rompe in Sitio (settlement) Wakit, Barangay Kilantao, Sangay, Camarines Sur, said Galang, chief of the EPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Team.

An alleged sector head of the NPA’s Bicol Region Party Committee, Malaca was also a suspect in the deaths of Sgt. Alfredo Valencia and Pvt. Domingo Alcantara Jr. in Barangay Binuyonan in Bula, Camarines Sur, on Feb. 9, 2007, Galang added. But he clarified that the latter cases were still pending in the Naga City Prosecutor’s Office.

The EPD earlier received raw information on Malaca being in hiding in his sister’s house in Pinagbuhatan. At first, only his sister was seen leaving the house, while “new faces, possibly his comrades” were also seen visiting the place, the officer said.

An arrest team finally moved in around 5:30 p.m. Monday after Malaca’s presence in the house was confirmed.—Kristine Felisse Mangunay