4 top-ranking communist guerrillas nabbed in Negros Occidental –Army

Four suspected high-ranking New People's Army members in Negros Occidental were captured during a joint military and police operation, an official of the Army said Saturday.

Major  AJ Cenon Pancito III (SC) PA, 3rd Division Public Affairs Office chief, said in a press release that joint operatives from the Army's 5th Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police captured the NPA members on July 10, Friday.

According to the Army report, the four alleged communist guerrillas were seized in Sitio Mamposo, Barangay Magballo, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. They were identified as:

1. Emmylo Cañares alias Sid/Drey, 38, a resident of South Poblacion, San Fernando, Cebu, a former Finance of Bohol Party Committee, and the current Secretary of the Second National Urban Center Party Committee (2NUCPC);
2. George Buga-ay alias Samantha/Alexa, 42, a resident of Brgy. Orong, Kabankalan City, a former squad leader and Finance Logistics Officer of the Regional Strike Forces (RSF) of Kilusang Rehiyon Negros (KR-N), former secretary-general PAMALAKAYA Negros, and is currently the Regional Communication (RCOM) of KR-N;
3. Relyn Moreno alias Sam, 22, a resident of Brgy. Orong, Kabankalan City, who is currently a Regional Communication (RCOM) staff of KR-N; and,
4. Raffy Patajo alias Paolo, 21, a resident of Sitio Montelo, Brgy. Pinggot, Ilog, a former Squad Finance Logistic Officer (FLO) of Platoon 3 and Squad leader of Platoon 2, South West Front, KR-N and a Regional Communication Staff of KR-N.

According to the Army report, the arrest of the four NPA members was a product of a Joint Intelligence Operation following the July 8 encounter between government troops and NPA guerrillas in Brgy. Pinggot, Ilog.

Seized from the four suspects are firearms and explosives, including: one caliber .45 pistol; one .38 caliber revolver loaded with five ammunition; four hand grenades; cash amounting to P24,000; assorted cellphones and chargers; assorted USBs; subversive documents; and personal belongings.

15IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño said, “The arrest is a major setback to the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) operating in the Negros Island area, and a victory of the government’s anti-terrorism drive." 

Meanwhile, Colonel Noel Baluyan, Commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade lauded the composite elements of government forces for their joint efforts in apprehending the said CPP-NPA elements,  who will face appropriate charges in court.

Baluyan added that the arrest of the communist personalities is a big blow to the communist insurgency on Negros Island. —LBG, GMA News