Wanted NPA leader arrested in Sagay City

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – An alleged key member of the New People’s Army (NPA), sought for robbery, was captured in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

The arrest followed his surrender to the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) at their Barangay Bato base last Sunday.

On Monday, police executed the arrest warrant issued for the 41-year-old, who is allegedly an intelligence officer and vice squad leader of the now-defunct Northern Negros Front (NNF-D) under the regional committee KRNCBS. The warrant, calling for a P100,000 bail, was issued by Judge Arville Guyod Delgado of San Carlos City on February 20, 2023.

Police Lieutenant Hannah Banquil, deputy chief of the Sagay City Police Station, linked the charges to an event in Calatrava town. She said that after being notified of the rebel’s surrender, they confirmed an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

The suspect is currently detained at the police station.

Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, acting director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6, in his statement, regarded the arrest as a significant double achievement, as the man is both an active member of the NPA and was on the wanted list.

The Army’s report indicates that the apprehended NPA leader engaged in a firefight with law enforcement in Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava town last year and is considered a close associate of Roger Fabillar, known as “Arnel Tapang,” who is sought for a string of murders in the area, carrying a P1 million bounty.