Suspected NPA leader arrested in Iloilo – military

A suspected ranking leader of the communist New People's Army (NPA) was arrested early Saturday morning in Iloilo City by joint elements of the military and police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.

 

In a statement, the AFP said Ma. Concepcion Araneta Bocala, who is also known as "Concha" and "Etang", was arrested at her home in Juntado Subdivision, Calumpang in Molo town.

 

The military said Bocala is the NPA's party secretary and also a central committee member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front.

 

The arrest of Bocala, who is facing several murder charges, came after several residents tipped government forces of the "lavish lifestyle being enjoyed by the NPA leader in the city while her comrades are fighting in the mountains enduring a life of hardships and violence."

 

The arresting team recovered two pistols, laptops, a USB drive and volumes of subversive documents.

 

Bocala is in police custody, the AFP said. — Amanda Fernandez/JDS, GMA News