Alleged NPA member nabbed in Biliran

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An alleged member of the New People’s Army was arrested in a manhunt operation on the morning of May 1 in Naval, Biliran.

Police identified the suspect only as Ed, 53, a construction foreman residing in Sitio Palawan, Barangay Borac, Naval.

Police said Ed is originally from Barangay Aguila, Sebaste, Antique.

He was allegedly a member of the dismantled Front Guerrilla Unit of the NPA Northern Front under the Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and has been the subject of government security operations in several provinces.

Members of the Sebaste Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit 6, Antique Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit, and 2nd Antique Provincial Mobile Force Company carried out the arrest with support from the Naval Municipal Police Station.

Police served the arrest warrant for five counts of frustrated murder docketed as Criminal Case Nos. 23-S-114-CR, 23-S-115-CR, 23-S-116-CR, 23-S-117-CR, and C-061.

The warrant was issued by Judge Josefina Fulo Muego of the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Culasi, Antique.

Police said Ed was also accused of multiple murder and multiple attempted murder under Criminal Case No. C-017.

The warrant for that case was issued and signed by Judge Niovady Marin of Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Culasi, Antique, on Feb. 23, 1993.

The same court also issued an arrest warrant against the suspect for multiple frustrated murder on June 30, 1993.

Ed was also accused of robbery with homicide under Criminal Case No. C-058.

Marin issued the arrest warrant for that case on June 5, 1993.

Ed was also charged with destructive arson under Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Presidential Decree Nos. 1613 and 1744.

Muego issued the arrest warrant for destructive arson on June 23, 2025.

Police said the total recommended bail for all criminal cases was PHP 1,015,000.

The suspect was listed as the No. 1 most wanted person in Western Visayas, Antique province, and Sebaste town.

The Police Regional Office 6 has yet to confirm reports that Ed participated in several tactical offensives against government troops.

There were also reports that he was involved in the destruction of private and public properties and took part in extortion activities.