NPA top leaders arrested in Pagadian City

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboangadel Sur (November 21, 2017) -  The joint elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police authorities arrested two (2) NPA top leaders last Saturday (November 18) in Pagadian City, military official said.

Information officer BGEN ROSELLER G. MURILLO AFP, Commander, 1^st Infantry (Tabak) Division, PA, disclosed that the joint law enforcement operation was conducted at Brgy Balangasan, Pagadian City by virtue of Search Warrants with use of unlicensed firearms and illegal possession of explosives issued at Branch 18, RTC 9 and Warrant of Arrests under criminal case number 1936-M(201) for complex crime of direct assault with murder and robbery with no bail bond.

BGEN. MURILLO said that the suspects were identified as Rosario Delambaca Tabanao alias WENA/WENG/PASING/LOURDES/ROWENA/DORIS (Finance Officer) and Leonardo Jacotin alias JESS/MARIO/JASPER (Logistics Officer). Both suspects are operating on areas under the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

The combined elements of AFP and PNP recovered one (1) piece hand grenade; one (1) caliber.45 with one (1) magazine and eight (8) rounds ammunitions;50 rounds AK47  ammunitions;  ten (10) pieces assorted IDs and 17 pieces assorted cellphones, he added.

BRIGADIER GENERAL JACINTO R BARENG AFP – Commander, 102^nd Infantry  (Igsoon) Brigade, 1ID, PAstated that “the successful operation is a result of collaborative efforts of AFP and PNP units operating in Zamboangadel Sur and it was tipped-off by concerned civilians”.

BGEN BARENG AFP further said that the arrested NPAtop leaders are responsible for robbery, large-scale extortion activities,proliferation of illegal firearms and explosives, and murder cases in the area.