Top CPP-NPA leader arrested

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines— Combined elements of the police in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental and the Philippine Army's 302nd Infantry Brigade and the 79th Infantry "Masaligan" Battalion have arrested an alleged top-rank leader of the NPA on Friday evening.

Provincial Police OIC director Supt. Mariano Natuel, Jr. identified the arrested rebel as a certain Jose Rene Bustamante, alias Pediong/Nasyo, secretary of the Southeast Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros (SEF/KR-N) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA.

An initial police report said law enforcement authorities were conducting a joint checkpoint around 7:50 p.m. Friday at Barangay Tugas in Tanjay City-in line with the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center-when Bustamante or Pediong was arrested.

The murder case filed against Pediong was linked to the killing of  Narciso Bantoto, Jr. in an ambush perpetrated by the NPA last January 17 at Barangay Tayak in Siaton town of Negros Oriental.

Bantoto, a farmer and resident of  Tayak was killed in the presence of his wife, three children and a niece while on their way to a benefit dance at sitio Mainit.

Pediong was nabbed by virtue of an arrest warrant for murder (under criminal case No. 2014-22242) issued by Judge Gerardo Paguio of the Regional Trial Court-Branch 41 in Dumaguete City.

A news release from the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division based in Jamindan, Capiz, said items seized from Pediong were a hand grenade, an ATM card and identification cards with different identities (Jose Rene H. Bustamante, Jade B. Herevias and Jury Merecido).

Natuel said charges of illegal possession of an explosive will also be filed against the suspect who is now detained at the Tanjay City Police station's lock-up cell.

Former rebels in Negros Oriental, who are now in mainstream society, have identified Pediong or Nasyo as the SEF/KR-N secretary.

"This development is certainly a big blow to the CPP-NPA in Negros Oriental as its organizational structure has been dismantled. This is the result of the Bayanihan among the people of the province who are eager to attain lasting peace and live in a place that is conducive for uninterrupted economic development," said Brigadier General Franciso Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd IBde, based in Tanjay City.   

Major General Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 3rd ID, said: "We reiterate our call on the CPP-NPA to go down and talk with us peacefully. Abandon the armed struggle for it is not the solution to our societal issues. Let us work together in the spirit of Bayanihan to finally put an end to the insurgency problem of our country." (FREEMAN)