Suspected NPA leader arrested in Caloocan

A suspected leader of the communist New People's Army was arrested by police and military operatives in Caloocan City over the weekend, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group identified the arrested rebel as Billy Morado a.k.a. Opal, allegedly the leader of the NPA's Southern Regional Operations Command Emporium.

The CIDG, in a news release, said Morado was arrested at Lot 3, Block 54, Phase 10, Barangay Bagong Silang in Caloocan City.

Also taken into custody was one Felimon Tuba Jr., who was with Morado at the time.

Seized from the two were a hand grenade and a cal-.357 handgun with ammunition.

The CIDG said police and military operatives served on Morado arrest warrants for murder, three counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder.

It said the warrants were issued by Northern Samar Judge Decoroso Turla.

Morado has 11 standing arrest warrants issued mostly in relation to the deaths of Philippine Army troops in Northern Samar, the CIDG said. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News