Suspected NPA leader arrested in Caloocan

Police and military agents caught an alleged ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA), who is facing charges for 15 counts of murder, during an operation Thursday in Caloocan City.

Norberto Murillo, 52, alias Ka Norly and Namo, a native of Hilongos, Leyte, was apprehended by the operatives of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the local police, led by Inspector Alfredo Acson, at around 10 a.m.

Armed with an arrest warrant issued by Hilongos, Leyte Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Ephrem Abando, the lawmen arrested Murillo at his hiding place in Bahay Bukid, Area D in Camarin.

Murillo was brought to the Manila RTC Branch 32, where the hearing of his cases was transferred, but the court was on a holiday break, police said. The court is scheduled to open on Monday.

The Caloocan City police then brought Murillo to the Manila City Hall Police Detachment to officially record Murillo’s capture.

Chief Superintendent Pedro Tango, Northern Police District (NPD) director, instructed Superintendent Remigio Gregorio, Caloocan City police officer-in-charge, to transfer Murillo to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame for “being a high-risk” detainee. – Pete Laude