ARRESTED. Mugshot of alleged New People’s Army member Jhonel Amada Navales who was arrested by authorities at his house in Barangay Inac, Magpet, North Cotabato on Monday (July 13, 2020). The suspect is facing murder and attempted murder charges for the roadside bombing in Magpet town on Jan. 28, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Magpet MPS)
MAGPET, North Cotabato – Acting on a tip, police arrested here Monday a suspected member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) who was long wanted for a string of criminal charges.
Maj. Judgie Barotas, Magpet police chief, identified the suspect as Jhonel Amada Navales, 40, believed to be a member of the NPA's Front 53 operating in the area.
Navales is facing several criminal charges including a murder case and 11 attempted murder charges for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 28, 2019 roadside bombing of police personnel in Barangay Poblacion.
Killed in the incident was PO1 Christopher Anadon, while several other members of the North Cotabato Police Mobile Force Company were injured.
Barotas said the suspect is an active member of the NPA rebel movement working as an intelligence operative and supply officer who also shelters rebels in his house during military pursuit operations in the area.
“The arrest of Navales as ‘eyes and ears’ of the NPA group would surely destabilize their community penetrations and assaults against military personnel and government installations”, Barotas said.
Last month, police also captured Bebot Namansela Gomay, an alleged comrade and accomplice of Navales in the roadside bombing attack.
“They are both men of NPA commander Choi who was killed in an operation in Bukidnon”, Barotas said.
Navales is detained at the Magpet police station while waiting for the commitment order from the court.
The NPA, together with the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
