AUTHORITIES arrested on Monday, November 25, an alleged high-ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a hospital in San Juan City.

Jaime Dimaculangan Padilla, alleged spokesperson of the NPA Central Command, was arrested around 7:30 p.m. in one of the private rooms of Cardinal Santos Hospital in San Juan City.

Three persons, who were guarding him, were also arrested. They were identified as Rey Rafa, 30; Jefren Banjawan, 26, and Kay Ann Trogan, 27.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Debold Sinas said Padilla has a standing arrest warrant for murder and double murder.

Sinas said Padilla was confined in the said hospital due to hypertension.

"'Yung tatlo na 'yan will be charged for harboring wanted persons and we will check if they have existing warrant of arrest. We are also checking ano ang associations nila," he said.

Padilla was brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region office in Camp Crame where he underwent booking procedure. (SunStar Philippines)