‘High ranking rebel’, two others nabbed

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including an alleged high-ranking official, were arrested in Barangay Su-ay, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental yesterday.

Joint operatives of the Army and police served an arrest warrant for 10 counts of murder against Ramon Patriarca. The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Suseco Arcam of Regional Trial Court Branch 47 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

According to Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), Patriarca is an alleged deputy secretary of Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros (KR-N).

Pasaporte said that Patriarca’s alleged staff identified as Carmen Jonahville Matarlo, who is reportedly from Cebu, and John Michael Baldonado were also caught.

Authorities recovered from them a hand grenade, a KG-9 machine gun, two KG-9 magazines, subversive documents, NPA flag, NPA caps, and 310 ammunition of AK47.

Pasaporte said the arrested individuals who have yet to be reached for comment are detained at Himamaylan City Police Station.

They will be facing charges for illegal possession of explosive, and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

Pasaporte said they are probing the presence of the three in the city.