2 ranking NPA apprehended by Army forces in a week FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – A prominent high
ranking officials of the Communist Party-News Peoples’ Army (CPP-NPA) terrorist groups the arm wing of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) were arrested
consecutively in Ozamis City and Butuan City, in a joint law enforcement operations of the government forces over the week.
Prior to the apprehension of the two, National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant Rommel Baylosis was caught and arrested by joint law enforcement operations of the AFP and the PNP on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 in Quezon City. Baylosis is the first CPP-NPA terrorist group leader arrested after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte scrapped the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines- New Peoples’ Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), last year.
Rommel Dorango Salinas, the secretary of CPP-NPA was arrested by the composite elements of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police on Thursday, February 1, 2018 in Barangay Aguada, Ozamis City. Salinas was arrested by virtue of Warrant of Arrest for Frustrated Murder, Murder and Destructive Arson. He was subsequently brought to Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology (BJMP) in Barangay Tinago, Ozamis City for proper custody. While on the following day (February 2), Leonida P. Guao who is also known for several aliases Leah, Ligaya and Laya, the Head Finance Officer of the Komisyon Mindanao (KOMMID) and the Regional Education Bureau of Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of CPP-NPA-NDFP was nabbed in Barangay Bading, Butuan City. The operations was also a joint effort by Army forces under the 4th Infantry Division and elements from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Philippine National Police,Region 13.
Recovered from Guao was a .45 caliber pistol, detonating cord and 7 mobile phones. Guao is now under custody of the Philippine National Police Regional Office Region 13 and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Caraga for proper disposition.
Lieutenant General Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, the Commanding General of Philippine Army congratulated the troops for their efforts and dedication in accomplishing their tasks. He is happy that everything is falling into place in line with the marching order of the Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to finish off the soonest possible time the problem on terrorism and insurgency. He also added that the Philippine Army will continue to improve and provide the necessary support to its troops to maintain their moral and make them responsive in pursuit of protecting and helping the people as well as contribute to the development of the community, said Lieutenant Colonel Louie D. Villanueva, Army Spokesman.#