Wanted ex-NPA rebel nabbed for homicide rap

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police served an arrest warrant for homicide charges against an alleged former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay San Jose, Toboso, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Edison Garcia, commander of 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (Nocpmfc), said that Benny Alibutdan, 44, of the said village, reached out to them to surrender.

“Ga cooperate siya. Kabalo man siya na may kaso siya,” he added.

Garcia said that the suspect was a former member of the Northern Negros Front (NNF) who went into hiding for several months now.

The court has recommended a bail of P120,000 for his provisional liberty.

Garcia said the arrest warrant was issued by the court in Silay City in 2022.

However, he said that he was not privy to the background of the case.

The suspect was turned over to Silay City Police Station for custody.

Garcia said the suspect is processing a surety bond for his release.

But, as of 6 p.m. yesterday, the suspect is still detained at the police station according to Police Major Rhea Sarah Villanueva, officer-in-charge of Silay City Police Station.