Police Regional Office in Bicol(PRO5) Camp Gen. Simeon Ola (PNA file photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – Two members of the New People's Army (NPA) were arrested while four others surrendered to the government on Wednesday in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Masbate.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib on Thursday said the operation is still in line with the concept of “Kapayapaan” pursued in strong support of the Philippine National Police’s peace and security agenda as a means of achieving lasting peace and security in the region.
In Camarines Sur, the arrested NPA member was identified as Eddie Buena, 42, of Barangay Timbaw, Biñan, Laguna, and a native of Barangay Manga Bato town in Camarines Sur.
Calubaquib said the suspect was arrested in a remote area in Barangay San Vicente, Bato, Camarines Sur during the serving of a warrant of arrest for four counts of murder and frustrated murder implemented by combined elements of the Police Regional Office in Bicol and 9th Infantry Division of Philippine Army.
She said Buena is a member of Platoon 2, Larangan 1, Komite ng Probinsya 5, Bicol Regional Party Committee, who is also involved in the offensive attacks conducted in the Rinconada area in Camarines Sur.
"He is also one of the suspects in the killing of 2Lt. (Frederick) Pasco and the wounding of Private First Class (Reynaldo Alarcon) Aquino (Jr.) on October 22, 2018, while conducting a combat operation at Barangay Mainit, Bato, Camarines Sur. On July 14, 2019, he was also part of the attack launched by NPA at Barangay Payak, Bato, Camarines Sur which led to the death of Police Master Sergeant (Sotero) Javier and Patrolman (Prince) Lagdameo in an armed encounter," she said.
In Masbate, another NPA member was also nabbed at Sitio Gumunab, Barangay Magsasaka, San Fernando, Masbate.
He was identified as Danilo Cantonjos, 39, a resident of Barangay Magsasaka, San Fernando, Masbate. He is a member of Platoon 2, Larangan 1, Komite ng Probinsya 4. Cantonjos was taken by the authorities by virtue of a warrant of arrest for the offense of arson with PHP40,000 recommended bail.
Meanwhile, four other members of the rebel group returned to the fold of the law.
At Barangay Poblacion, Cataingan in Masbate, government troops from PNP and the Philippine Army facilitated the voluntary surrender of the NPA members.
They were identified as alias Delmo, Merlin, Berting and Tatay, who all belong to Larangan 2, Komite ng Probinsya 4 under Rogelio Suson a.k.a “Manong” which operates in the 3rd district of Masbate.
Calubaquib said the rebels are now under the custody of the authorities and are set to be given assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government.
"They will be given financial aid, skills enhancement training, livelihood opportunities, and many more as they unfold a new chapter in their lives away from the influence of the rebel group," she said. (PNA)
