CAMP OLIVAS -- A top commander of the New People's Army (NPA) was arrested in his residence in Mountain View, Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, early morning Tuesday, February 18.
Brigadier General Rhodel Sermonia, Police Regional Office-Central Luzon director, presented the arrested Rodolfo Salas alias Ka Kumander Bilog, 72, former chairman of the NPA.
Sermonia said Salas was arrested by joint operatives of the Special Concern Unit Regional Intelligence Division-Central Luzon, 301st Manuever Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Central Luzon, and Angeles City police intelligence branch led by Lieutenant Colonel Renante Pinuela.
He said the operatives were armed with a warrant of arrest for 15 counts of murder under criminal case numbers 08-262-163 signed by Thelma Bunyi-Medina, presiding judge Regional Trial Court branch 32, Manila, dated August 28, 2019 when arrested Bilog.
The operating operatives seized from the house of Salas a Para-Ordinance caliber .45, 174 pieces of different ammunition and two caliber .45 magazine assembly.
Sermonia said the successful arrest of Salas is the result of accurate information provided by former members of the NPA who have returned to the fold of the law and availed of the livelihood program and financial assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration program or E-Clip.
He said appropriate charges for violation of RA 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition is being prepared for filing in court against Salas.
Meanwhile, 14 NPA rebels submitted themselves to police authorities and they voluntarily surrendered their firearms which include a caliber .45 pistol, two caliber .38 revolvers, a caliber .22, improvised shotgun, three rifle grenades and five caliber .40mm ammunition. (Ric Sapnu)