Army claims capturing finance officer of NPA

BACOLOD CITY—The alleged finance officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) was captured on Tuesday in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, to face a string of criminal charges.

Roberto Espinosa, who was also identified as “Ka Berto,” “Ka Bert” and “Ka Demar,” was detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facilities in Victorias to stand trial for robbery-in-band, arson and robbery with homicide.

Supt. Alexander Munoz, Victorias police chief, said Espinosa was among the rebels who raided and destroyed a water pump facility of the Victorias Milling Company in 2010.

He added that Espinosa was also with the group of insurgents who raided a military detachment in Toboso town, Negros Occidental, in 2011.

Espinosa was under surveillance for several years. But the police intelligence operatives recently received a tip from their assets that the alleged rebel was hiding in Victorias.

When they saw Espinosa leaving his home in Villa Miranda in Victorias City, the police operatives immediately captured him on the strength of three arrest warrants issued by separate courts.

Judge Kathrine Go, of the Regional Trial Court in San Carlos, issued an arrest warrant for robbery-in-band and arson while Judge Felipe Banzon, of RTC in Silay City, issued an arrest warrant for robbery with homicide.

Espinosa is also wanted for an arson case. A warrant for his arrest has been issued by Judge Evelyn Arsenio of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities in Victorias.

In 2009, Espinosa and Rogelio Danoso, another alleged NPA leader in Negros, have been arrested by soldiers and policemen in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, for illegal possession of firearms.

Espinosa and Danoso were released in 2009 after posting bail of P120,000. They allegedly rejoined the NPA in Negros after posting bail.