GOVERNMENT authorities have filed charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosive before the prosecutor’s office in Lanao del Norte against two leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) they have arrested in that province, military officials announced.

Captain Clint Antipala, Army’s 1st Infantry Division information officer, said charged on Monday, December 2, were Christopher Cañete alias Ka Glock and Virjon Virtudazo alias Ka Thunder.

Antipala said they were arrested by a joint military and police forces in a checkpoint around 12 midnight, Sunday in Dableston Village, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.

Seized from them were an improvised explosive devised (IED), a caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .38 revolver, rifle grenade, and paraphernalia.

Brigadier General Bagnus Gaerlan, Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) acting commander, said the two arrested leaders have revealed the identities of NPA members, including some who are allegedly “hiding in plain sight.”

Gaerlan said they are conducting verification and investigation since they also revealed identities of their supporters and their locations as well as their future plans. (SunStar Zamboanga)