THE topmost wanted leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Island and his female companion were arrested at Barangay Bato in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on January 3.
Police served the arrest warrants for four counts of murder and frustrated murder to Lorenzo Perolino, with aliases “Victor Perolino,” “Tisoy,” and “Jamil,” 39, of Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City.
Also arrested was Clydie Sabete, 26, of Barangay Washington, Escalante City. She is a political instructor of the NPA in north Negros and member of the finance bureau of the group.
All cases have no bail.
Chief Inspector Antonio Benitez Jr., city police chief, said Perolino is a high-ranking official of the NPA. He is also a front secretariat of the North Negros Front, an intel officer of the Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, and was a former head of the regional striker for NPA in Negros Island in 2014 to 2017.
He is also part of the Front Executive Committee and commander of the Technical Department based on the Periodic Status Report (PSR) of 2018.
Police recovered from Perolino a .45 caliber pistol, two magazines and 22 live ammunition, Identification (ID) card, driver’s license, wallet, medical records, bag, receipt of cash remittance, letters, a pouch containing P12, sunglasses, handkerchiefs, perfume, eyedropper, a helmet, and a motorcycle.
Authorities also seized from Sabete a fragmented hand grenade, .22 caliber revolver, live ammunition and a cartridge case of the same firearm, assorted medicines, a wallet containing P4,860, IDs, and subversive documents.
Benitez said both suspects were riding a motorcycle when police blocked their way.
Sabete attempted to drive away but the police cornered them.
He said the apprehension of Perolino was planned after the intelligence units monitored his pattern and routes.
Benitez said Sabete will be facing charges for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.
She will also be charged for violation of the Presidential Decree 1829 or Penalizing obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders, for protecting Perolino to be arrested by the police, Benitez said.
Perolino will be charged for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
Benitez said they are also waiting for Perolino’s other arrest warrants from other areas in the province.