Wanted NPA leader nabbed in NegOcc

BACOLOD CITY — A communist guerrilla leader being hunted by authorities since 2003 was arrested on Monday in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, police said yesterday.

Romeo Nanta is the third highest ranking New People’s Army leader in Negros after Frank Fernandez, a former priest, and Cleofe Lagtapon, Fernandez’s deputy, the military said.

The military has charged Nanta with and secured warrants for his arrest for rebellion, robbery, attempted and frustrated murder.

Nanta, according to the military, heads the NPA Regional Operational Command, also known as the Apolinario Boy Gatmaitan Command. He also served as the head of the NPA in central Negros and uses the aliases Juanito Magbanua, Jack Nanta, Islaw and Kulas, said the military.

In an interview at the lock-up cell of the San Carlos police on Monday, however, Nanta described the charges against him as trumped up. Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, described the arrest of Nanta as a big blow to the rebel movement in Negros.

The military linked Nanta to the bombing of cell towers, raids on police and military detachments and raids on sugar milling facilities in Negros. /INQUIRER