Alleged NPA commander arrested in Bislig City

April 16, 2019

An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) commander was arrested in a law enforcement operation in Bislig City on Sunday night.

2nd Lt. Abigail Lorenzo, public affairs officer of the 4th Infantry Division, said the apprehended rebel is Robert Tejero Calipay alias Satur or Arpak, 29, a resident of KM9, Sitio Emerald, Brgy. Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

Lorenzo said Calipay is the commander of Platoon 2 of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee who has a warrant of arrest for arson, frustrated murder, attempted homicide, multiple attempted murder and attempted murder.

Lorenzo said Calipay was arrested during joint law enforcement operations of the 75th Infantry Battalion and Bislig City police station at the vicinity of Purok 1, Sitio San Agustin, Brgy. San Roque, Bislig City.

During the operation, authorities recovered one hand grenade, one bundle of detonating cord, 16 blasting caps, three cellphones with accessories, cash amounting to P48,000 and personal belongings from the possession of the suspect.

Following the arrest, Lorenzo said Calipay was detained at the Bislig City Police Station for inquest proceedings after medico legal examination at the Bislig District Hospital.

Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of 4th Infantry Division, said the recent “accomplishment is a result of the AFP-PNP intensified intelligence gathering and monitoring in order to apprehend target personalities.”

“I commend the 75th Infantry Battalion, 401st Brigade together with Bislig PNP, the arrest of alias Satur will be a great loss for the communist terrorist,” Gacal said. Robina Asido/DMS