Rebel leader in Bohol arrested

CEBU, Philippines — An influential member of the New People’s Army in Bohol was arrested after his cover was blown while confined at a hospital in the capital Tagbilaran City for gunshot wounds.

Col. Medel Aguilar, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, identified the man as Pedro Lumantas, 54.

Hospital records show Lumantas was admitted at the Ramiro Community Hospital on June 14 under the name of Victor Penarejo.

He was arrested past midnight yesterday by virtue of a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court for murder he allegedly committed in October last year.

Bohol Provincial Police Director Angeles Geñorga told The Freeman that a tip about Lumantas’ real identity led to his arrest.

Authorities are finding out how Lumantas sustained the gunshot wounds. He is currently on hospital arrest and guarded by personnel of the Bohol Provincial Police Office.

Aguilar said Lumantas wields influence as a commander in the NPA.

“Medyo malaking tao siya because he is a commander and he is involved in so many cases,” he said.

Aguilar, however, downplayed reports of resurgence of the NPA in Bohol, saying the group’s influence has waned over time.

He said Lumantas’ arrest is proof that the NPA no longer has the community’s support.

“We have very active local government units na they are attending sa mga issues na ini-exploit before ng NPA. With that situation, mahihirapan sila,” he said.

“Nahihirapan sila because they don’t have the support… basta, ang ating government ay ina-address ang mga issue sa lipunan, it will be very hard for NPA to recover because yung mga tao, ang suporta nasa gobyerno,” Aguilar added.

He assured that the spillovers of the NPA are being addressed by local authorities in the island.

“We have enough forces to address the situation. Kung ano nandiyan, we are able to arrest this fugitive. We are very confident we can handle the situation. People will be free and safe sa Bohol,” he said.

He said that as long as the community remains vigilant and reports suspicious personalities, armed resurgence will not prosper, including in neighboring Cebu province.

“Hindi rin ito mangyayari basta-basta sa Cebu kasi nga paningin ko hindi papayag ang mga Cebuano – not unless magpapabaya tayo. We will always be guarding our perimeters just to make sure hindi na sila makapanggulo,” Aguilar said. —  JMO (FREEMAN)