4 NPA leaders nabbed in Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  – Four ranking members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Friday.

Emmylo Cañares, 38, secretary of the 2nd National Urban Center Party Committee; George Buga-ay, 42, finance and logistics officer of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros Regional Strike Force, and Relyn Moreno, 22, and Raffy Patajo, 21, of the Negros regional communication bureau were apprehended in Sitio Mamposo, Barangay Magballo, according to Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño, 15th Infantry Battalion commander.

Cariño said Buga-ay also served as secretary-general of Pamalakaya, an alliance of fisherfolk groups, while Patajo is squad leader of the Southwest Front Platoon.

He said the arrest was a result of a police and military intelligence operation following an encounter with NPA rebels in Barangay Pinggot in Ilog town.

Cariño said four hand grenades, a .45-caliber pistol, a .38-caliber revolver with ammunition, P119,354 in cash and cellular phones were among those recovered from the suspects.

He said the arrest of the NPA leaders is a major setback for the communist movement operating on Negros Island and a victory of the government’s anti-terrorism drive.