Alleged high-ranking NPA leader arrested in Lanao del Norte

March 16, 2020

An alleged high-ranking member of New People's Army (NPA) was arrested in Lanao del Norte on Sunday.

Maj. Ezra Balagtey, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command, said arrested was Teresita Lapuz Naul alias Tessie, the secretary of Regional White Area Committee (RWAC), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

"High ranking former rebels and surrenderees from Northern Mindanao identified alias Tessie as disbursing officer and financer of mass mobilization and supply requirement of the armed group in Northern Mindanao," he said.

Balagtey said Naul was apprehended by military and police forces in her safe house in Purok 3, Brgy San Manuel, Lala, Lanao del Norte early Sunday morning.

"Accordingly, alias Tessie attempted to elude arrest when she attempted to hide in a rice field near her safe house when the Inter-Agency team is about to serve the warrants of arrest," he said.

Balagtey said following the arrest Naul was brought to the regional CIDG office for further legal processing and disposition.

He said Naul has warrants of arrest for destructive arson, and two counts kidnapping and serious illegal detention. No bail was issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 7, Bayugan City. Robina Asido/DMS