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Suspected CPP-NPA official arrested in Butuan City
The alleged finance officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) Komisyon Mindanao was arrested on Thursday afternoon in Barangay Bading, Butuan City, the military said in a statement.
Leonida Guao, who is also known for several aliases Leah, Ligaya, and Laya, was arrested during the joint operation of the 402nd Brigrade, 401st Brigade, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and PNP Regional Office Region 13 (PRO-13).
In a statement issued by Civil-Military Operations Officer Capt. Al Anthony B. Pueblas, the AFP said Guao is "the finance officer of the CPP-NPA Komisyon Mindanao (KOMMID) and responsible for the synchronization of the collection and distribution of extortion money in Mindanao."
The joint security forces were armed with a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 7, Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur.
Guao was charged for murder under criminal case number 5809.
"Guao, as head of finance of KOMMID, knows a lot of the extortion activities in Caraga as well as in the entire Mindanao. We hope that she will cooperate with the investigating team in identifying individuals, business establishments and organizations that are providing financial support to the CPP-NPA terrorists," said Brig. Gen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander.
"The successful Support to Law Enforcement Operation of the joint Army and PNP is the product of collaboration and partnership of the military and other law enforcement agencies. The government’s efforts against the CPP-NPA terrorists are relentless. We will not stop here. We will continue with our anti-terrorist and counter-terrorist operation to ensure the safety and security of the Caraganons," he added. — Merlyn Manos/BAP, GMA News
