NPA member nabbed in Negros Occidental—military

MANILA, Philippines—A member of the New People’s Army was apprehended by joint operatives of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Negros Occidental, a military official said Wednesday.

In a text message, Army Chief Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz identified the suspect as Diro Pancho Sanchez alias Ariel, who was nabbed by government security forces in a local public market.

Sanchez, a member of the regional command of the NPA in Negros, was arrested by virtue of arrest warrant issued on March 10, 2010 by Regional Trial Court branch 59 Judge Katherine Go, Ortiz said.

The suspect is facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1613 (Amending The Law On Arson) which is a nonbailable offense, the army chief added.