ARRESTED. Police and military officials present the three arrested suspected NPA leaders in Cagayan on Wednesday (Oct. 9, 2019). An alleged rebel contact, a native of Tondo, Manila, was also apprehended. (Photo from PNP-CIDG-Region2)
CAMP MARCELO ADDURU, Tuguegarao City -- Three alleged high-ranking female leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) and a suspected member were arrested in twin operations in Gattaran town and this city on Tuesday, police said.
Brig. General John Cornelius Jambora, officer-in-charge of the Cagayan Valley police, identified those arrested in Gattaran as Violeta Ricardo alias Ka Issa/Marissa, deputy secretary of the Northern Front Committee and regional finance head of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV); and Cristina Miguel Garcia alias Ka Senyang, Executive Committee staff member of the Northern Front, KR-CV and a member of Squad Dos-Platoon Bravo (Main Group)-Northern Front.
Ricardo was arrested in Barangay Barbarit based on the arrest warrants for murder, frustrated murder, carnapping, robbery with arson and rebellion. A PHP2.4-million reward was earlier offered for her arrest.
Garcia was nabbed in Barangay Naddungan for murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and qualified assault upon an agent of a person in authority with murder.
On the other hand, Delilah Padilla, alias Ka Domay/Saganay/Tinay/Dumanay of the Education-Squad Dos of Platoon Bravo (Main Group)-Northern Front, was arrested around 8:15 p.m. in Leonarda village here due to direct assault with murder, robbery in band, and frustrated homicide. She carries a PHP700,000 reward for her arrest.
Padilla is wife of Renato Busania alias Ka Ric/Efren/Ener/Even/Andon, a staff member of the training team and listed as the most wanted person affiliated with the NPA rebels.
Also arrested was Carol Garcia Ballesta, 40, a native of Tondo, Manila, an alleged rebel contact in East and West Cagayan. Ballesta was indicted for obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of criminals after she allegedly harbored Padilla in her residence in this city to prevent the arrest.
The twin operation was carried out by the Cagayan Valley regional police and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 2. (PNA)
