NPA commander in Negros arrested

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An elusive top leader of the New People's Army (NPA) in Negros island, who is facing a string of criminal cases in court, was arrested by the police and the military in Brgy. Zone 2, Cadiz City.

Romeo Nanta, 54, of Brgy. Banago in Bacolod, was apprehended by virtue of arrest warrants for rebellion, robbery-in-band, and attempted and frustrated murder, said Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday.

Nanta was arrested jointly by the 62nd Infantry Battalion and personnel of the Cadiz City Police Station after several years of surveillance on him, Lactao said.

The military alleged that Nanta was the commanding officer of the Regional Operational Command, also known as the Apolinario Boy Gatmaitan Command, of the Komiteng Rehiyonal- Negros. He also reportedly served as the commander of the NPA in central Negros.

Military and police records show that Nanta ranks number three in the KR-Negros hierarchy, next only to priest-turned-rebel Frank Fernandez and his deputy secretary, Cleofe Lagtapon.

Lactao said the arrest of Nanta (with aliases of Juanito Magbanua, Juaning, Jack Nanta, Islaw and Kulas) was a breakthrough in the military's internal security campaign, and a big blow to the rebel movement in Negros.

Nanta was a veteran and battle-tested cadre of the CPP-NPA. He used to be a 3rd class Marine trainee before his entry to the NPA where he served as commander of the Larangan Gerilya 2 in central Negros.

Military and police records show that Nanta was linked to the following: 1) bombing of Globe Telecom towers in Toboso and Cauayan, 2) the raid of police and military detachments in Escalante and Toboso in 2006 and 2010, 3) burning and bombing of two transloading stations in Toboso and in Victorias Milling Company in Victorias City, 4) the raid of a police station in La Libertad, Negros Oriental, 5) ambush of civilians in Brgy. Salamanca, Toboso, and 6) harassment of a detachment in Brgy. Villegas, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

Nanta, escorted by armed military and police personnel headed by Col. Jose Ely Alberto and Supt. Arnel Arpon, was transported Monday night to San Carlos City District Jail and was presented to the court yesterday.

San Carlos Regional Trial Court Judge Moises Nifras has denied bail for Nanta for robbery-in-band charges. - THE FREEMAN