NPA militiaman wanted for 18 years, comrade fall in Negros

A member of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) Yunit Militia (YM) wanted for murder for 18 years, and his comrade were arrested by combined military and police forces in the remote village of Santol in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental Sunday morning.

The suspects were identified as Judy Blazer, 61, a resident of Sitio Mabunga; and Junjie Camanso, 30, of Sitio Tumalog of Barangay Santol.

“Both are members of the YM operating in the area,” said Maj. Randy Babor, chief of the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station, who led the joint enhanced military and police operation in Sitio Mainit, in a statement Sunday evening.

Court records released by the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) Sunday night showed Blazer has a warrant of arrest for murder without recommended bail issued on Feb. 9, 2005, by then acting Presiding Judge Edgardo Catilo of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 55 in Himamaylan City.

Meanwhile, Camanso is wanted for attempted murder under the arrest warrant signed by RTC Branch 55 Presiding Judge Walter Zorilla on Sept. 28, 2019, with a recommended bail of PHP120,000.

“The 62IB, in partnership with the Philippine National Police, will continue its efforts in intensifying joint enhance operations against the remaining members of the communist-terrorists group to sustain the peace and development in central Negros,” Maj. Alenel Valles, acting civil-military operations officer, said in a statement.

A clash between NPA fighters and government forces in Barangay Santol in July last year led to the death of four rebels in Sitio Amilis.

An encounter in Sitio Bugalo in August 2021 resulted in the death of a rebel while a soldier and a civilian sustained injuries. (PNA)