NPA leader arrested in Marikina

A suspected leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested in a joint operation of the police and military before dawn Monday in Marikina City.

Rene Nuyda Jr., the alleged regional secretary of the NPA’s Bicol Regional Party Committee, was caught in Barangay (village) Malanday by virtue of a warrant for his arrest issued by a Camarines Norte judge.

Col. Noel Detoyato, Armed Forces public affairs office chief, said that Nuyda was also known by his aliases John dela Cruz, Ka Red and Sung.

Also arrested with Nuyda was Pedro Canaleta Jr., who was also named in the warrant.

Both men were being sought in connection with two frustrated murder cases. The judge had recommended bail of P200,000 for their release.

Detoyato said Nuyda was involved in the ambush of an Army team on July 14, 2008, in Sitio (settlement) Nalisbitan, Barangay Dumagmang, Labo, Camarines Norte.

The incident injured two soldiers, Privates First Class Michael Luzon and Roel Barnigo.

Seized from Nuyda and Canaleta were a .45-cal. pistol, a .45-cal. magazine, seven .45-cal. ammunition and two fragmentation grenades. Also recovered were 13 laptops computers, 21 cell phones, five USB broadband sticks, six USB flash drives, 32 SIM cards and five tablet computers.