‘NPA rebel’ caught at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Wednesday, police announced yesterday.

Jennifer Abad, 50, was apprehended by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at the airport’s immigration office at around 1:30 p.m., CIDG director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said.

The CIDG said Abad was about to board a flight to Qatar when she was captured.

Caramat said in a statement that Abad has a warrant of arrest for murder issued by a court in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, which refused to grant bail.

Abad, based on the CIDG’s information, is a regional finance staffer of the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

She allegedly facilitated the personnel allowances of rebels.

“She is also in charge in the collection of RBKU (Rebolusyonaryong Buwis sa Kaaway na Uri) in Surigao del Sur,” Caramat said.

Abad is detained at the CIDG’s Rizal provincial field unit.