(UPDATE) One leftist rebel leader nabbed in Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A ranking leader of the leftist rebel group New People's Army (NPA) was arrested in a raid in the central Philippine province of Iloilo today morning, a military official said.

Major Ray Tiongson, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division, identified the suspect as Norberto Castor, alias Marlon and Greg. Castor was arrested by military and police operatives in Leganes town at 5:30 a.m. local time today.

Tiongson said Castor is the No. 2 in the NPA in Central Panay island. He is the deputy secretary of the Central Front Committee, one of the two rebel committees under the control of the Regional Committee-Panay.

The ranking leftist rebel leader was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by the Iloilo City regional trial court for a pending case of multiple murder with the use of explosive and multiple frustrated murder.

Lieutenant Colonel Eric Uchida, commander of the Philippine Army's 301st Brigade, said Castor's arrest is a "big blow against the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA hierarchy."