PNP: Arrested firearm maker in Iloilo is rebels’ gunsmith

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) claimed that the apprehension of an alleged firearm maker in Miag-ao, Iloilo would be a big blow to the New People’s Army (NPA).

Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, said in a press conference Friday that the arrest of Joemarie Arro would hurt the operational capabilities of the rebel group.

Members of the Regional Intelligence Division 6 (RID-6) and Miag-ao Police Station arrested Arro in a search and seizure operation around 6:30 a.m. of Oct 8, 2020.

Police seized a 12-gauge shotgun, five barrels of 12-gauge shotgun; a semi-pistol of unknown caliber; an improvised caliber .38 pistol with magazine; five air guns; seven caliber .38 revolvers; twelve assorted magazines; 187 assorted ammunitions; and assorted gunsmith tools.

Pamuspusan said they learned that Arro is involved in the production and sale of firearms.

“We also learned that he has vast connections with the group of Joven Ceralvo alias Lex,” he said.

Ceralvo is said to be the commanding officer of the Suyak Platoon, Southern Front, KR-Panay operating in the hinterland areas of Southern Panay.

With Arro acting as a gunsmith for the NPA, authorities believed that most of the firearms recovered during the gun raid are owned by Ceralvo’s group.

“This accomplishment, which is supported by the information coming from the community, is a clear manifestation that the people no longer believe in the ideology of the CPP-NPA,” Pamuspusan said.

The region’s top cop added that Arro’s arrest is in consonance with their efforts in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict.

“This will affect the CPP-NPA activities in Southern Panay and we expect that they will be having diversionary tactics to mislead our personnel who are after their connections hidden in the communities,” he said.

But Pamuspusan said that their troops all over the region have been alerted for this possibility.

“We will continue to deliver quality accomplishments in line with our strategic direction which is focused on promoting peace and order and security for the entire Western Visayas,” he said.