A HUMAN rights advocate tagged by police as a top leader of the New People's Army (NPA) was arrested in Lanao del Norte over the weekend.
Police arrested Teresita Naul by virtue of an arrest warrant for destructive arson, kidnapping and serious illegal detention. The court did not allow her to post bail.
She was accused of being one of the masterminds in the attack, burning of patrol base and abduction of 13 members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxillary (CAA) in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur last December 2018, which were the basis of the court order.
Naul was among the "GenSan 13" composed of church workers and human rights advocates who were arrested last July 2018 while attending a seminar on farmers and lumad issues in General Santos City.
After her release, Naul allegedly went to the countryside in Pantaron Mountain Range in Manalog, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, according to police.
Police identified Naul as secretary-general of human rights group Karapatan-Northern Mindanao, secretary of Regional White Area Committee (RWAC), Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), Finance Officer of Regional Urban Committee (RUC), NCMRC.
Authorities said the arrest warrants were served in the house of Naul's sister. She allegedly tried to flee but later captured hiding in the rice fields, Sunday morning, March 15.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao Director Rolando Anduyan said the arrest of Naul "will severely damage" the communist group.
"I would like to congratulate the operating PNP-AFP units for their relentless joint efforts in supporting RTF-ELCAC in the campaign of the government against insurgency," Anduyan said.
For his part, Major General Nemesio Gacal, 4th Infantry Division commander, lauded the AFP-PNP joint operation, which he believes will negatively impact the NPA.
"This will have an important impact on the morale and operational capability of NCMRC since she holds a significant position by providing financial and logistical support to the armed group," Gacal added.