NPA leader nabbed in Benguet

MANILA, Philippines - Government agents arrested a communist rebel leader who carries a P1.2 million bounty during an operation in the hinterlands of Benguet province.

Chief Superintendent Orlando Pestaño, Cordillera police director said the arrest of Antonio Cagwayan, alias Senyas, Sali, Flor, Ulo, and Floyd is a product of hard work and intelligence cooperation among police and Army units operating in the region.

Cagwayan is the assistant secretary of the Kilusang Larangan Guerilla Baggas and was charged with crimes of murder, multiple frustrated murder and less serious physical injuries before the 2nd Judicial Region Branch 25 of the Kalinga Regional Trial Court.

A warrant was issued for his arrest.

In his report to Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, Pes­taño said Cagwayan was arrested in Sitio Monglo, Bayabas, Sablan town in Benguet at about 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 25 by joint elements of the intelligence division of the Cordillera police, Regional Intelligence Unit 14 and 501st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.

Pestaño said a joint Department of National Defense and Department of Interior and Local Government order No. 08-2009 placed a P1,200,000 for his capture.

Wife arrested, too

“The arrest of Cagwayan was made possible because of hard work and sharing of information among the police and Army units concerned so that subject person will finally be convicted with his crimes and that justice to the victims prevail,” said Pestaño.

A follow-up operation conducted in the same area 11 hours later led to the surrender of Cagwayan’s rebel wife, Angelita Puyao Tayab, alias Angie, Regie, Ivy and Hannah.