Ex-NPA rebel, Russian fugitive arrested in NegOr

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By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Authorities arrested an alleged former New People’s Army rebel and a Russian national wanted for separate offenses in the Negros Island Region on Monday in Negros Oriental.

The first operation led to the arrest of 29-year-old “Jas,” a farmer and resident of Bindoy town, who was served a warrant of arrest with no bail recommended for murder in Sitio Loho, Barangay Nalundan, Bindoy.

Police said the suspect is an alleged former member of the Central Negros 2 Komiteng Rehiyon–Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor and is listed as the fourth most wanted person in the region, according to the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region.

He was implicated in the killing of a village watchman in Bindoy seven years ago.

In a separate operation, authorities arrested a 52-year-old Russian businessman identified as “Drei,” who was residing in Valencia town.

Personnel from the Lal-lo Police Station in Cagayan coordinated with the Valencia Municipal Police Station for the suspect’s arrest.

Police identified him as the sixth most wanted person in the region and served him a warrant of arrest with no bail recommended for four counts of violation of Section 5(a) of Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

Investigators said the accused allegedly subjected his wife to repeated physical abuse.

Although initially hesitant to file a complaint, the wife eventually sought legal action after the abuse escalated into a serious threat to her life, the regional police office reported.

The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region said the arrests were part of the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations, a nationwide campaign targeting high-value fugitives and organized crime groups.

The regional office said the operations underscore its intelligence-driven approach against criminality and its commitment to locating and apprehending wanted persons.

Police said both suspects are now in custody and will be presented before the appropriate courts.