Suspected NPA leader nabbed for homicide case in Negros Oriental

In this 2009 file photo, New People’s Army fighters celebrate the rebel group’s founding anniversary.  The arrest, on June 29, 2016, of Marilyn Badayos, a suspected leader of the NPA linked to homicide and attempted homicide cases in Negros Oriental, comes at a time when President Rodrigo Duterte and the Communist Party of the Philippines have moved towards reviving the peace talks.  Duterte is keen on releasing imprisoned NPA leaders  to facilitate the peace talks and eventually granting them amnesty.  DENNIS JAY SANTOS/INQUIRER MINDANAO

CEBU CITY —  An alleged leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested on Wednesday night in Siaton town, Negros Oriental, over a homicide case against her.

Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson, chief of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said in a phone interview that combined forces of their troops and the Philippine National Police (PNP) based in Siaton town arrested Marilyn Badayos during a checkpoint they conducted in Barangay Bondoc at 8:05 p.m.

Tiongson said that Badayos was on board a motorcycle on her way to Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, when she was intercepted by the police and the military at the checkpoint.

He added that Badayos had a pending arrest warrant for  homicide and attempted homicide charges issued by Judge Candelario Guillermo Gonzales of Regional Trial Court Branch 45 in Bais City.

Badayos did not resist arrest.

Police and military recovered a caliber .45 pistol, one fragmentation grenade and some documents.

Badayos was brought to Siaton police station for medical check-up and she was also detained there.

Badayos was allegedly involved in the killing of Private First Class Marlon Lanes of the 79th Infantry Battalion in Bais City where he was allegedly shot by an NPA on July 4, 2014.

She was also linked to  the killing of PO3 Joe Harry Peralta and PO1 Henrey Pacheco and the wounding of three others during an ambush in Barangay Caningay, Candoni, Negros Occidental on February 18, 2016 owned up by the NPA.  SFM