NPA leader, 4 others nabbed in Northern Samar —military

An alleged leader of a New People's Army (NPA) unit and four others were apprehended Friday afternoon at Barangay Bangkerohan in Catarman, Northern Samar.

On Saturday, the military identified the "high-ranking terrorist leader" as Marieta Bartolo alias Tayang said to be the Front Secretary of Metro 1, Sub-regional Committee Emporium, an NPA unit operating in several Northern Samar municipalities.

"They are responsible [for] the atrocities against the [Philippine National Police], military personnel and civilian in the said area," the military said.

Tayang was apprehended along with Ruth Martirez Figueroa, Eboy Loberiano, Gil Martirez, and Danny Basiloi.

The inter-agency operations were conducted by elements of the 803rd Infantry Brigade and Northern Samar Provincial Police Office on Friday at around 4:30 p.m.

The operatives served two warrants of arrest for murder and attempted murder against Bartolo.

Weapons recovered from the suspects included three calibre .45 pistol, a 38. calibre revolver, a KG9 SMG gun, and a Glock 9 mm pistol.

Other items seized were 12 envelops with P30,000 each and other subversive documents.

According to Colonel Ramil M. Bitong, commander of the 803rd Brigade, the cash is believed to be "grease money" to support the candidacy of Figueroa for Association of Barangay Chairman (ABC) President of Catarman.

Bartolo, the military added, is believed to have raised the funds to ensure the election of Figueroa as ABC President.

Bitong said the suspects were currently in the custody of the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office.

He added that criminal charges will be filed against the suspects while cohorts and other companions who escaped are subject to man-hunt operations. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News