NPA-Mindanao finance officer arrested

MANILA, Philippines — The finance officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao was arrested in Butuan City on Thursday, the military reported yesterday.

Nerita de Castro, 55, was collared by Army and police personnel at Emenville subdivision in Barangay Ambago at around 12:40 a.m., Capt. Anthony Pueblas, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

Pueblas said De Castro’s arrest was based on a warrant for murder issued by Surigao del Sur Regional Trial Court 11 Judge Lilibeth Lagada.

He said De Castro took over the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-Komisyon Mindanao from Leonida Guao, who was arrested in Barangay Bading also in Butuan earlier this year.

“The arrest of De Castro is a big blow on the resource generation activities of the NPA in Mindanao... Her arrest will adversely impact on the NPA’s extortion activities,” Brig. Gen. Nemesio Gacal, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander, said. 

In Zamboanga del Sur, more than 40 families fled their homes following an offensive launched by government troopers against NPA rebels in Barangay Saad, Dumingag town on Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, Zamboanga peninsula police deputy chief for administration, said police and military personnel in coordination with local government officials provided relief and medical assistance to displaced civilians.

 De Ocampo said villagers staying at the barangay hall also underwent stress debriefing. – With Roel Pareño