NPA leader, 5 others nabbed in Negros

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged top ranking member of the New People’s Army (NPA),  his wife, and four others were arrested by a combined team of police and military personnel at a checkpoint in Barangay Dancalan, Ilog town, in Negros Occidental last Friday night.

Arrested were Reniel Cellon, 44, alias “Ka Kumpol,” who was tagged by the military as the commander of the Sentro de Grabidad platoon of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros SouthWest Front Committee; his wife Mary Jane Magkilat, 38, alias “Ka Chin-Chin;” Jose Sonny Ditomal, 41; Rodrigo Maricasa, 49; Antonio Estaniel,51; and Edson Gonzales, 20.

They were on board a Suzuki Carry when they passed the checkpoint, police said.

Ilog police chief S/Insp. Joshua Villasis said arresting policemen also seized a. 45 caliber pistol with five rounds of ammunition; a Walter PPK caliber .22 pistol with three rounds of ammunition; rifle grenade; a fragmentation grenade; 350 rounds of ammunition for M16 assault rifle; as well as subversive documents, including extortion letters; and assorted food.

The .45 caliber pistol and fragmentation grenade were reportedly recovered from Cellon’s possession while the .22 pistol was taken from Magkilat. The rifle grenade, assorted ammunition for an M16 armalite rifle and carbine, among others, were reportedly recovered from the Suzuki Carry vehicle used by the suspects.

Villasis said Cellon and his wife, Magkilat, have pending arrest warrants for murder and frustrated murder issued by Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Fernando Elumba and his predecessor, the late Judge Henry Arles, who was gunned down in April 2012.

Magkilat allegedly serves as political officer of her husband’s unit and head of the South West Front Education committee.

Villasis said the suspected rebels were charged Saturday before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Negros Occidental in Bacolod City for violation of the Comelec gun ban and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Cellon and Magkilat who were denied bail for the murder charge were immediately transported to the Negros Occidental District Jail in Bago City.

The other four suspects vehemently denied any connection with the NPA.

Lt. Col. Enriquito Deocades Jr., commander of 47th Infantry Battalion based in the neighboring  Cauayan town, said the arrest of Cellon and his wife will deal a significant blow to the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA movement in the southwestern part of  Negros.

“The people here are already fed up with the violent armed struggle of the CPP-NPA who blatantly violates human rights,” Deocades said. –/JMO (FREEMAN)