NPA bombmaker, leaders arrested in Davao del Norte

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Joint police and military teams arrrested yesterday an alleged bombmaker of the New People’s Army and two NPA leaders in Barangay La Filipina, Tagum City in Davao del Norte.

Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, 1001st Infantry Brigade commander, said Victor Rollon is with the Komisyong Mindanao and Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Also apprehended were Christine Joy Dula, said to be a finance officer, and Chargelyn Casquejo, political instructor of the same NPA unit.

Durante said they conducted the operation after receiving information on the presence of suspicious armed persons in the area.

He said Rollon has pending warrants for murder, serious illegal detention and robbery. Dula is wanted for rebellion and Casquejo for homicide.

Durante said improvised bombs, an M16 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, magazines, bullets and cell phones were among those recovered from the rebels.

Meanwhile, in Tawi-Tawi, an Abu Sayyaf bandit tagged in the kidnapping of Indonesian crewmembers of a fishing boat was arrested in Bongao town on Wednesday.

Capt. Kuhutan Imlani, Bongao police officer-in-charge, said the suspect, whom he did not identify because follow-up operations are ongoing, was arrested in Barangay Poblacion based on a warrant issued by a local court.