Ex-rebel tagged in village chief’s slay nabbed

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A former New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla tagged in the murder of a village chief has been arrested in San Pablo, Laguna, authorities reported yesterday.

Samson Clarito Tanyag, 38, admitted to authorities that he was a communist rebel from 2003 and 2004, according to Col. Samson Belmonte, chief of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG)in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).

Police said they seized from Tanyag a pistol, grenade, ammunition and a stolen motorcycle.

The suspect was charged with illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives as well as for violation of the Anti-Carnapping Law of 2016.

Tanyag had a standing arrest warrant for the murder of a barangay captain and two others in Cavite and Laguna, respectively, said Maj. Jeffrey Norte, chief of the HPG-Calabarzon arresting team.