11 ‘rebels’ arrested, 13 firearms seized in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines - Eleven suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels reportedly extorting money from local politicians in Bulacan were arrested in a joint military and police operation in Barangay Doña Remedios  Trinidad town in Bulacan yesterday afternoon.

The operations also resulted in the seizure of 13 high-powered firearms and explosive devices found possessed by the suspects, military spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos said.

Burgos said the security operation was conducted at Sitio Sapang Linao, Barangay Kabayunan.

The suspects were allegedly part of a 30-man NPA band deployed to launch massive pre-election extortion activities in Bulacan, specifically in Doña Remedios Trinidad.

Residents harassed by the suspects reported the rebels’ presence to the military, which the security operations, in coordination with the local police.

Authorities initially arrested eight suspects and three more were nabbed in a follow up operation.

Recovered from the suspects’ possession were three caliber .45 pistols, four hand grenades, a shotgun and two M-14 and three M-16 assault rifles.

Burgos said the suspects and their seized weapons were brought to the Bulacan Provincial Police headquarters for proper documentation and filing of appropriate criminal charges.

He said since February, the AFP has been receiving complaints from politicians and residents in Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas about the rebels’ extortion activities.

Politicians claimed the rebels have been sending them demand payment for permit to campaign (PTC) and permit to win (PTW) in May 13 elections.

The arrest of the 11 suspects came days after President Aquino ordered the military and the police to go after the rebels and to dismantle all their checkpoints throughout the country.