Classes suspended in 11 Quezon barangays

MANILA, Philippines — Classes in elementary and secondary schools in 11 barangays in San Francisco, Quezon are suspended until Friday amid military operations against New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

These schools are in Barangays Butanguiad, Casay, Don Juan Vercelos, Huyon-uyon, Inabuan, Mabunga, Nasalaan, Pagsangahan, Pugon, Silongin and Sto. Niño, Mayor Romulo Edaño said in a memorandum circular issued yesterday.

Classes had been suspended in the barangays since Monday.

“This is what we decided to do to ensure the safety of the students and the citizens of the barangays based on the report and recommendation of the Philippine Army,” Edaño said.

The firefights, which have left a soldier wounded, started in San Andres town on Jan. 27.

4 NPA leaders arrested

Meanwhile, the military announced yesterday the arrest of four alleged NPA leaders in Quezon and General Santos City.

Lt. Col. Hector Estolas, public affairs office chief of the 2nd Infantry Division, said Christopher Avellano, squad leader of a guerrilla unit of the NPA’s Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee, was arrested in General Nakar, Quezon.

Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, Western Mindanao Command chief, said Yvonne Losaria, deputy secretary of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region  53 was arrested for rebellion.

Ruben Saluta, secretary of the National Propaganda Commission and National Democratic Front consultant, and his wife Presentacion, head of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyonal Panay, were apprehended for rebellion and murder and frustrated murder, respectively, the military said.

Galido said seven rifles were among those seized from the rebels. – Michael Punongbayan, Roel Pareño