Suspected NPA leader arrested in Iloilo — Army

(Updated 4:41 p.m.) A suspected ranking leader of the communist New People's Army (NPA) was arrested early Tuesday in Iloilo by joint elements of the military and police, the Philippine Army said.

 

In a news release, the Army's 3rd Infantry Division said the suspected NPA leader, Norberto Castor alias Marlon/Greg, was captured around 5:30 a.m. in Barangay Calabia in Leganes town by government security forces.

 

Castor, who is facing charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated charges, is considered one of the senior cadres of the CPP-NPA "who carried out various atrocities in Central Panay, victiming innocent civilians and [destroying] properties in the area," the news release said.

 

He was identified by former rebels in Panay as the deputy secretary of the central front of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Panay, it added.

 

The NPA leader is now under the custody of the PNP Regional Office 6.

 

Colonel Eric Uchida, commander of the 301st Brigade stationed in Panay, said Castor's arrest "is certainly a big blow against the CPP-NPA heirarchy."

A separate press release from the police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Castor hid in various places in Iloilo City for eight years.

He was among the 235 "wanted communists" listed in a joint order issued by the Departments of National Defense and Interior and Local Goverment in 2012, with monetary reward for his arrest amounting to P2.3 million.

The warrant of arrest for Castor was issued in March 2006 and also includes Francisco Balois a.k.a. Ka Tonying, who is still at large and allegedly hiding within the same area.

 

Within the last three months, authorities have arrested two leaders of the NPA in Negros provinces, including Abraham Delejero Villanueva, who has a standing arrest warrant from 2008 for violation of Presidential Decree 1613 (Amending the Law on Arson). 

 

Following the arrest of CPP chair Benito Tiamzon and his wife, Wilma, last March, President Benigno Aquino III was quoted as saying the presumption of peace talks depends on the willingness of the CPP-NPA-NDF to cooperate with the government.

 

Aside from the Tiamzons, another suspected communist leader, Andrea Rosal -- daughter of the late rebel spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, was arrested on March 27. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ/KBK, GMA News