Alleged rebel tied to soldier’s slay nabbed in Bataan

CAMP OLIVAS, PAMPANGA-A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been arrested, 13 years after he was implicated in the 2005 burning of a bus and in the killing of a Philippine Army troop, the Central Luzon police reported on Thursday (Mar. 8).

Danilo Caragay was caught on March 7 in his house in Barangay (village) Salian at Abucay town in Bataan province, on the strength of arrest warrants for frustrated homicide and murder. He is now detained at the Abucay police jail.

Caragay, 52, used to head a squad of the NPA in Pampanga, police claimed. He was the primary suspect in the burning of a Bataan Transit bus and for killing Sgt. Marcial Francisco of the 24th Infantry Battalion in Balanga City, Bataan.

In Bulacan province, a clash on Thursday between the 48th Infantry Battalion and armed men left dead a still unidentified rebel in Barangay Nabaong Garlang in San Ildefonso town.

On March 4, the police arrested Rodrigo Waje, who allegedly collects money for the NPA in Pampanga.

The government has continued its offensives against the NPA following the breakdown of peace talks./lb