NPA rebel with P1.2 million bounty falls

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A medical staff of the New People’s Army (NPA) with a P1.2-million bounty on his head was arrested in Sarangani on Monday.

Reports reaching the office of Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, Area Police Command-Western Mindanao chief, identified the suspect by his alias of Jinky, 50, a resident of Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

Estomo said members of an intelligence unit of the Soccsksargen police, Provincial Mobile Force Company, local police and soldiers belonging to the 73rd Infantry Battalion arrested Jinky at his hideout in Purok 9, Barangay Poblacion in Alabel town.

Soccsksargen police director Brig. Gen. Percival Placer said Jinky had a pending arrest warrant for murder issued by a court in Alabel in 2007.

Placer said Jinky is on the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s list of most wanted persons.

Jinky is said to be the head of the medical staff of the Guerrilla Front Tala of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region.

Meanwhile, police said a certain Randy, a platoon leader of the NPA and his follower identified only by his alias of M1 surrendered in Sitio Loot, Barangay Poblacion in Malapatan town.

Placer said the two would be enrolled under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.