NPA ‘tax collector’ nabbed in Quezon

LUCENA CITY, Philippines—A suspected “revolutionary tax” collector of the New People’s Army in Quezon province was arrested by police and military operatives in the municipality of Unisan on Wednesday afternoon, a regional military spokesman said Thursday.

Col. Generoso Bolina of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command based in Camp Nakar here, identified the suspect as Ambrosio Rey, 48, also known by the aliases “Danilo Bautista,” “Ka Darwin,” “Ka Daroy” and “Ka Verano.”

Bolina said Rey was arrested in Barangay Kalilayan aboard a mini-bus bound for Unisan town proper where he was supposedly engaged in rebel tax collection activities.

“Concerned citizens tipped us off to his movement,” Bolina said.

Bolina claimed Rey was the chief finance officer of the NPA rebels in Quezon and headed its “revo tax” collection unit.

Bolina said Rey started operating in Quezon in 1999 and was also involved in several rebel attacks.

Rey was found carrying a cal.-45 pistol and a fragmentation grenade, according to Bolina. He said the alleged rebel tax collector would be charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

He said Rey was placed in the custody of the Quezon police provincial office.