Gov’t nabs alleged NPA tax ‘collector’ in Pampanga

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The leader of a group that allegedly collects revolutionary taxes for the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested over the weekend at Mexico town in Pampanga province, police disclosed on Monday.

Authorities identified the arrested individual as Rodrigo Waje. He was colared after police served him a search warrant at his house in Barangay (village) Concepcion on Sunday.

According to the police, the Waje Group collected revolutionary taxes from businessmen and quarry operators in Pampanga, and was allegedly responsible for “the recruitment of prospective left-leaning members in the areas of Mexico and San Luis town [that have adopted] Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) groups.”

BHB refers to the NPA, which has neither confirmed nor denied Waje’s role with communist rebels.

Police seized two guns and ammunition from Waje’s home. Waje is currently being held at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) office in Angeles City.

Waje’s arrest involved six police units: the CIDG, Pampanga Provincial Intelligence Branch, Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3, Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Mexico town police.    /kga