Communist rebel leader captured

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines - Troops of the Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas continued to gain strides in their anti-insurgency campaign with the capture of a leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines' Central Committee on Sunday morning.

The arrested communist leader, Ericson Acosta, fell into the hands of the soldiers of the 8th Infantry Division at San Jorge town in Samar province, a top military official announced yesterday.

It was reported that a platoon of the 34th Infantry Battalion, under 2nd Lt. Jacob Madarang, was conducting its routine security patrol when they intercepted Acosta who was acting suspiciously while about to board a pump boat toward the town proper.

Madarang said Acosta gave conflicting and confusing answers to simple and routine questions, then appeared nervous as he tried to draw a hand grenade from his pocket.

A soldier immediately grabbed Acosta's arm and grasped the explosive. The 37-year-old Acosta was later identified by an informant (identity withheld for security reasons) as a resident of Quezon City and working under the Instruction Bureau of the National Education Department of the CPP-NPA-NDF's Central Committee.

The informant further revealed Acosta also masquerades as August Lim. He added that Acosta was sent by the CPP to facilitate the production of various propaganda materials such as "Ang Bayan" newsletter intended to shoot propaganda to the people.

Troops also seized from Acosta a laptop with complete accessories and spare battery, an external hard drive, internet USB, a cellphone, six pieces of SIM cards, P4,800 cash and personal belongings.

Major General Mario Chan, 8ID's commander, assured the public the rights of Acosta were respected during and after his apprehension. "Acosta was treated very well by the apprehending troops. As we've done so in the past, we assure our people that we will always be observant of human rights. Acosta will be accorded his right to counsel and be given his day in court," he said.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, criminal charges were filed against Acosta at the RTC Branch 41-Gandara under criminal case # 11-0501 and he is now in custody of the Gandara Municipal Police Office.