AN ALLEGED member of the New People's Army (NPA) was arrested, Wednesday by elements of the Philippine Army 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City.

62IB commander, Lt. Colonel Egberto Dacoscos identified the suspect as Joel “Aming” Casusa, an alleged member of Squad one of the NPA's Sentro De Grabidad Platoon based in Central Negros.

Dacoscos said they arrested Casusa when local residents complained over the presence of the NPA rebels in their community during their visitation in the area.

The army commander said Casusa has a standing warrant of arrest for frustrated murder. The case stemmed over his involvement in the gun battle that took place between Casusa's unit and the 62IB at the city's Barangay Carabalan in 2017.

Aside from Casusa's arrest, Dacoscos said the local residents also complained about the extortion activities committed by the rebels and their violent abuses against local farmers.

Dacoscos also lauded the residents for providing information on Casusa, who has since been handed over to the Himamaylan City Police Station.