Nine, including two alleged NPA leaders, arrested in Negros Oriental

September 22, 2020

Nine individuals, including two high ranking New People's Army (NPA) leaders, were apprehended in a joint military and police operation in Negros Oriental on Sunday,

Capt. Kelvin Bayaban, civil military operations officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said Tuesday the troops of 62nd Infantry Battalion under 303rd Infantry Brigade with the 6th Special Action Force and personnel of Guihulngan City police in Negros Oriental arrested nine personalities at the vicinity of Brgy Buenavista, Guihulngan City.

The arrested NPA leaders were identified as  Nona Espinosa alias Ava or Jelay, the deputy front secretary of Central Negros 1 Front, KR-NCBS and Adidas Acero alias Baldo or BJ, the vice commander of Front Operational Command.

Bayaban said Espinosa and Acero have eight warrants of arrest for various crimes.

Others arrested were Lea Niles alias Susan, Xian Flores Batiken, Rodrigo Benlot alias Morri, Felix Policher alias Rusi, Analyn Flores alias Myniel, Crispin  Diano and Juravilla Baloy.

Bayaban said troops  recovered one caliber .9mm Glock 17 pistol; three caliber .45mm pistols; two hand grenades;  one unit caliber .357 revolver  with  five serviceable ammo;  81 rounds of  ammunition;  six pieces  magazine assemble for cal. 9mm and .45mm pistols; one set of dental instruments.

Bayaban said the apprehended NPA leaders are detained at the Guihulngan City Police Station where appropriate charges are being readied against them.

Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander said the arrest  is "another setback to the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) operating in the Negros Island area, and a victory to the government’s anti-terrorism drive." Robina Asido/DMS